Bernadine Fugate

Ill. Bernadine McEvoy Gardner Fugate, 96, died at 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Advocate BroMenn, Normal. Mrs. Fugate was born Nov. 13, 1917 in Bloomington, Ill., daughter of Bernard and Elva Fern Shepard McEvoy. She married Burdell Gardner on Sept. 11, 1938 in Forrest, Ill. He died Nov. 1, 1956. She later married Howard Fugate on Aug. 24, 1969 in Forrest, Ill. He died Dec. 31, 2003. Surviving are son. B. Tom (Sherry) Gardner, Chatsworth, Ga.; two daughters, Susan Gardner and Jane (Eldon) Haab, of Bloomington; stepson, William (Kay) Fugate, Fairbury; and two stepdaughters, Mary Ann Fugate, Champaign, and Ellen (Ray) Hankes, Gibson City. Also surviving are grandchildren, Roxanne (Mike) Hutchings, Pamela Crabtree, Joletta McGraw, Lucy (Shan) Pollitt, Brian Gardner, Matt (Wendy) Kupferschmid, Mark (Anna) Kupferschmid, Beth (Stacey) Ward, J.B. Haab, Eric (Julie) Fugate, Andrea Jones, John (Deanna) Hankes, and Betsy (J.T.) Hammitt. She leaves 24 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and special friend Juanita Cavazos. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Ada (Willis) Bennett, Ellen (William) Wallace, Ruth (Burnell) Watson, and Raymond (Mary) McEvoy, infant daughter, Joan; infant granddaughter; and twin infant, great-grandchildren. Mrs. Fugate graduated from Chatsworth High School. She was employed at medical clinics in Forrest and Fairbury. She was a farm wife and homemaker. Bernadine and Howard enjoyed camper traveling throughout North America. Her cookie jar was always full of treats for anyone who stopped by and might join her in a game of Tri-Ominos or assembling a puzzle in progress. To help future generations experience nature, she and Howard donated Fugate Woods northeast of Fairbury to Prairie Lands Foundation. Memorials may be made to Fugate Woods, Prairie Lands Foundation, 104 E. Locust St., Fairbury, IL 61739, or Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701. An online guest book is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com. Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Tom Krieger officiating. Burial will be at Forrest Township Cemetery, Forrest. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, March 4, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury, and one hour before the funeral service at the church.