Bernice B. Milkert, nee Wirth, 86, of Troy, Ill., born April 26, 1925, in Ruma, Ill., died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill.

Mrs. Milkert was retired. She had been a secretary for 15 years at the Illinois State Police Headquarters in Maryville, Ill., District 11. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Troy, Ill., and the St. Paul's Family Choir. She was active in many functions of the church, such as greeter and singing in the choir. Bernice enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening and she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Milkert, whom she married on June 16, 1946, in St. Peter's Lutheran Church in East St. Loius, Ill., and who died Jan. 18, 2001; and her parents, Theodore and Martha, nee Hahne, Wirth.

Surviving are her sons, Thomas (Adele) Milkert of Troy, Ill., and Robert E. (Diane) Milkert of Collinsville, Ill.; granddaughters, Laura Huztable, Jamie Slater, Stephanie Schuler and Lindsay Zeller; grandson, Keith Milkert; and her sister, Mildred (George) Trumpet of Rineyville, Ky.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Family Choir and the St. Paul's Church.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at Laughlin-Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Ill., and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, Ill.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the church with Rev. Mitchel Schuessler officiating. Burial will be at Valhalla Garden of Memories, Belleville, Ill.

Laughlin~Richeson Funeral Home
Troy, Illinois