Bernice Wisehart

RICHMOND, Ind. – Bernice Wisehart, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, January 7, 2021, in Westfield, Indiana, where she was living with her daughter, Lynda Sherer. Bernice was born to Edwin Riggs and Ella Mae Horton Riggs on March 11, 1928, in Wise, Virginia. She was part of a very large family and from the age of 12, took on most of the responsibility of caring for her younger brothers and sisters. At the age of 18, Bernice moved to Richmond to live with two of her sisters. She married Norris Wisehart on September 8, 1951. Bernice worked in the Alumni Development Office at Earlham College for 31 years, retiring in 1995. In her retirement years, Bernice kept active and could often be seen walking at the Earlham Wellness Center with friends. She loved being part of the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bernice was active in West Richmond Friends Meeting. Her family and friends will remember her kind and generous spirit and her exceptional skill in cooking, especially baking. Bernice is survived by her son, Randy (Tammy Rhoades) Wisehart of Richmond; daughters, Teresa (John) Shipley of Richmond and Lynda (Jim) Sherer of Westfield, Indiana; honorary daughter, Catherine (Michael) Schoenewald of Akron, Ohio; grandchildren, Jonelle (Dave) Ellis of Richmond, Michelle (Joe) Byers of Centerville, Indiana, Kimberly Shipley of Richmond, Kyle (Erica) Shipley of Evansville, Indiana, Luke (Vanessa) Sherer of Chicago, Illinois, Lindsay (Steven) Deeg of Westfield, Jacob (Stacy) Sherer of Carmel, Indiana, Amy (Brian Carter) Wisehart of Ellsworth, Maine, and Alyssa (Elizabeth) Wisehart of West Winfield, New York; great-grandchildren, Courtney and Christopher Ellis of Richmond, Karaline, Ethan, and Anna-Grace Byers, all of Centerville, Elissa Shipley of Evansville, Everett and Oliver Deeg, both of Westfield, and Benjamin Carter Wisehart of Ellsworth; and sister, Sue Moore of Centerville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris; seven brothers; and three sisters. A Celebration of Life for Bernice Wisehart will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021, at West Richmond Friends Meeting, 609 West Main Street, Richmond. Please wear your own mask inside the church, as they are required. The service will also be livestreamed on Zoom at bit.ly/BerniceWLife. Immediately following the celebration, weather permitting, we will gather outside the church to enjoy cookies and fellowship. In the event of rain, we will gather in the Community Room at the Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 North A Street, Richmond. Burial was held at McCray Cemetery in Wilkinson, Indiana. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: West Richmond Friends Meeting, 609 West Main Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or Earlham College, Office of Alumni & Development, Drawer 193, 801 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Bernice Wisehart

March 11, 1928 - January 7, 2021