Bernadine Love, 77, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away peacefully Saturday (July 23, 2011) at her home surrounded by her family after courageously fighting a hard battle with her health.

The daughter of Oscar and Mildred (Tony) Phelps, she was born September 23, 1933 in Adair County, Missouri. On August 26, 1950 in Kirksville, Missouri, Bernadine was united in marriage to Richard Eugene Love who preceded her in death on February 7, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Bernadine is survived by two children, one daughter, Vickie Cowan and husband Randy of Kirksville, MO; one son, Harold Love and wife Lynn of Kirksville, MO; and four grandchildren, Tessa Carson and husband Nick of O’Fallon, IL, Carli Cowan of Kirksville, MO, Bronson Love and fiancé Katie Doss of Kirksville, MO and Dusty Billington of Columbia, MO. She is also survived by one sister, Pat Bell and husband Norm of Monmouth, IL and one brother, Kenneth Phelps and wife Vivian of Knoxville, TN.

Bernadine attended Kirksville schools. She worked at Florsheim Shoe Factory, where she was employed forty-two years before retiring.

Her family and friends would describe her as having a great sense of humor, a one of a kind Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend. In her early years, Bernadine enjoyed camping, fishing, and yard sales. In her later years, Bernadine enjoyed playing bingo, gambling, attending country music performances, and joking around with her family and friends, but most of all pulling the hammer.

Bernadine will be deeply missed.

Her memberships include Women of the Moose and VFW Kirksville Post 2508.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday (July 27, 2011) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday (July 28, 2011) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Reverend Alan Coonfield officiating. Her granddaughter, Carli Cowan will be singing “There You’ll Be”. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Shorty Grissom, Todd Bleything, Tom Scofield, Harry Young, Jason Hill and Mike Magruder. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Douglas, Robert Killday, Tracy Treasure, Larry Treasure, Jim Brackney, Everett Farr and Duane Lawson.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Bernadine may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.