Berniece Elizabeth Towne

Berniece Elizabeth (Johnson) Towne, 95, of West Lafayette, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Heritage Health Care.

She was born May 11, 1929, in Brimfield, IL, to the late Menno Ben and Louise Lena (Mangold) Johnson.

Berniece graduated from Brimfield High School, Brimfield, IL in 1947.

On May 27, 1950, she married Richard “Wayne” Towne in Brimfield, IL. He preceded her in death on January 1, 2012.

Berniece and Wayne farmed for 50 years in central Illinois before retiring in 1998. They moved to West Lafayette, IN in 2006.

Berniece was devoted to her family; and Wayne and Be were like 2nd parents to her younger siblings. She also enjoyed her large garden, canning, and making homemade root beer. She loved Christmas and would gift dozens of homemade cookies and candies to family and friends.

Surviving is her daughter, Marsha (Mark) Rhees of West Lafayette, IN and two sisters, Eloise Laible and Marilyn Dieffenbach both of Princeville, IL.

Berniece was preceded in death by six brothers, Menno Jr, Raymond, LeRoy, Benjamin, Harold and John Johnson.

The family would like to thank Elara Care Hospice and Heritage Health Care for their support and care of Berniece.

There are no services planned.