Bernadine Bown

Bernadine Bown of Columbia Cross Roads, PA passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024 at the age of 92. Born on October 23, 1931 to Theodore and Gleyna Vogt in Sullivan County PA, she married Gene L. Bown on September 30, 1950. They were married for more than 73 years. Gene was a farmer and lumberman, and Bernadine was his loving wife, homemaker and mother to their four children.

Bernadine was a talented seamstress. When her children were growing up, she made most of their clothes including coats, hats, pants and dresses for special events. She loved to make quilts and crocheted doilies, shawls, baby blankets as well as her daughter's wedding dress.

When their children were young, the entire family was very involved in the Lincoln Falls Wesleyan Church. Bernadine played the piano and taught Sunday School. Being part of a church has always been very important to Gene and Bernadine. This is a testament to their love of God, which they helped instill in the lives of their children.

In 1963 Gene took a job in the lumber and construction fields in the Troy area and Bernadine became a cafeteria manager for the Troy school district, a job she held for 28 years. In 1981, Gene and Bernadine fulfilled one of their dreams by designing and building a home together near Springfield, PA.

What began as vacationing in a tent when the kids were young became a passion for traveling in a motorhome across the U.S. and Canada, only missing the states of Utah and Hawaii.

In her latter years, Bernadine experienced physical and mental challenges, but her love for her family and God and theirs for her and God never wavered. Their assurance is found in Revelation 21:4. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. "There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 

Surviving to treasure her memory are her husband Gene, children and their spouses, Barbara and Jack Swingle, Ted and Janet Bown and Christine and Alan Painter. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses Ryan and Rachel Bown, Lacey and Steve Curtis, Molly and Darin Jennings, Erin and Kevin Mowrey, Jesse and Tina Painter and 10 great grandchildren. Bernadine was predeceased by a son, Sanford, her parents, and her sister Jane Vogt Hess.

A time of visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday January 14, 2024 - The Springfield Baptist Church 3093 Springfield Rd, Columbia Cross Rds, PA 16914 with services to follow at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

The Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. of Troy, PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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