Bernice L. “Bea” Kemble, 85, of Lafayette, died Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at St. Anthony Healthcare, of pancreatic cancer.
Born Nov. 15, 1924, in Morral, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Earl E. and Violet L. Richardson Mapes. She graduated from Richland Township School in Newtown in 1942, and also graduated from Indiana Business College.
On March 31, 1946, she married Aaron “Shorty” Kemble in Lafayette, and he died in 2004.
Mrs. Kemble had worked at RMC in Attica, retired from Purdue University Sweet Shop after 20 years of service, and returned to Purdue to work as a lunch checker at Hildenbrand Hall for nearly 10 years, where she was known as “Aunt Bea” to the students.
Originally from Newtown, she was active in the community as a member of the Newtown United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and Order of the Eastern Star, and was a Sunday school teacher and volunteer at vacation Bible school. She also made costumes and helped design sets for school plays.
She enjoyed crocheting and gave gifts of doilies to all her family and friends; she crocheted countless baby afghans as gifts for newborns and donated to charities that helped families with new babies.
Surviving are two daughters, Sherry Frey (husband: Charles) of Lafayette and Amber Rusk (husband: Dennis) of Crawfordsville; and a brother, Herschel Mapes of Lafayette.
Also surviving are 3 granddaughters, Kristalyn Leonard, Megan Creek (husband: Brent), and Erin Blaydes (husband: Kyle); and 6 great-grandchildren, Chase, Paige, Claire and Ella Creek, Drake and Drew Blaydes.
Bea loved The Lord and her Faith was her constant companion. Her message to everyone was they should come to know The Lord as their Personal Savior. Believing in Christ would be the greatest tribute one could pay to her memory.
Visitation 4-7 p.m. today, Jan. 19, 2010, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909. Service 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at Trinity United Methodist Church 314 N. 6th St Lafayette, IN. 47901 the Rev. Dr. Dave Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at Waynetown Masonic Cemetery in Waynetown. Those wishing may contribute to either the Lebanon United Methodist Children&s Home or Newtown Community Church.
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