Berniece Hilda Van House

Berniece Van House, age 89, of Washington Township, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2009. She was born August 2, 1920 in Warner, South Dakota, to the late Lloyd and Hilda Larson. Berniece grew up on a farm in the mist of the great depression. She was poor, but said she never knew it. They always had presents for Christmas and were never hungry. She graduated from Warner High School in 1938. Berniece received a teaching certificate after studying at Northern State Teachers College. She taught in a one room school house for two years prior to her marriage. She resumed teaching in two other schools near Aberdeen, South Dakota during WWII. Berniece also worked as a teacher's aid for Stingley Elementary (Centerville City Schools) for a number of years in the 1970's and 1980's. After she retired she and her husband became world travelers. Berniece continued to volunteer in Centerville elementary schools for many years after her retirement. She was a dedicated wife and mother. Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert M. Van house. She is survived by her children; Robert L. Van House & his wife Jean of Cape Coral, FL, David Van House & his wife Roberta of Duluth, MN, Linda Leer & her husband Stuart of Syracuse, NY and Paul R. Van House & his wife Becky of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Eric Van House of Cape Coral, FL, Sharon McCarthy & her husband Mike of Tampa, FL, Patrick Van House of Tampa, FL, Angela Van House of Manhattan, KS, Danny Van House & his wife Crystal of Sugar Land, TX and Christopher Leer of Syracuse, NY; great-grandchild, Connor McCarthy of Tampa, FL and many other friends and relatives. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 10-11am at Newcomer Funeral Home Kettering Chapel (3940 Kettering Blvd, Kettering, OH 45439). The memorial service will follow at 11am. Burial will be at Heritage Hills Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.