Bernadean Reba Kinzer, 99, of Flora, was surrounded by loved ones as she passed away Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Milner Community Health Care in Rossville just two weeks before her 100th birthday.

Born September 21, 1923, in Colburn, IN, Bernadean was the daughter of Harley Jay and Mary (Kauffman) Pearson. She graduated from Delphi High School in 1941.

On March 10, 1942, Bernadean married Robert “Bob” Kinzer in Ockley, IN. Together for 76 years, they lovingly raised their four children, Beverly, Terry, Tom, and Barbara, before Robert preceded her in death on April 20, 2018.

Bernadean was a loving mother and homemaker, and had worked at Flora Five and Dime. She was a former member of the Flora United Methodist Church before becoming a member of the First Baptist Church of Flora. Bernadean was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In September of 2019, she fell and had been in Milner’s since that time. She loved being with her family, reading her morning devotions, playing Bingo, and doing word search puzzles. She thoroughly enjoyed playing Solitaire on any electronic device up until two weeks prior her passing. Bernadean always remembered her family’s birthdays and would make them electronic greeting cards.

She and her husband Bob were blessed to have a special needs child in Tom. This motivated them to start and co-found the ARC which helped physically and mentally challenged people. They helped get group homes in Flora, Delphi, and Monticello and worked with the state chapter to get schooling for them as well. They were an integral part of that organization for many years.

Surviving Bernadean are her children, Beverly (Charles) Wolf of Flora, Terry Kinzer of Burrows, and Barbara Kinzer of Indianapolis; brother, Sanford Pearson of Lafayette; sister-in-law, Ruth Pearson; grandchildren, Teresa (Kevin) Fisher of Flora, Alan (Shelly) Wolf of Laura Ohio, Arlene (Jeff) Wise of Delphi, Todd Kinzer of Burrows, and Loria (Jeff) Reust of Minnesota; 18 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Tom Kinzer; and four brothers and their wives, Richard (Betty), LeRoy, Harold (Mary) and Clifford Pearson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Day & Genda Funeral Home ~ Reinke Chapel in Flora. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Richard Voorhees officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernadean’s honor may be made to the First Baptist Church of Flora, 115 W Columbia St, Flora, IN 46929, White County Special Olympics, PO Box 962 Monticello, IN 47960, or the Carroll County Food Pantry, 11 S Center St, Flora, IN 46929. Messages of condolence to the family are welcomed at www.dayandgenda.com.