Berneice Viola Holderman

Bernie Holderman passed away Saturday at her home in Corvallis. She was born in Holland, Michigan to John Christian and Minnie Johnson. As the shadow of the Great Depression loomed over the nation, her family sold their farm and drove across country to the Los Angeles area, hoping to find work—like thousands of others. Finding little, they moved to Mira Loma, California, a farming community. She attended school there through the eighth grade. In order to attend high school, she was bussed to Riverside and graduated from Ply Tech High School. She worked her way through Business School, graduating from Webster College in Los Angeles. During World War II, she worked as a paint inspector for North American Aviation. In 1946, Bernie met Woody Holderman while he was visiting his sister in L. A. They married a year later and moved to Corvallis. The couple has one daughter, Mindy. Bernie was employed as a Bus Driver for Dorsey Bus Company for 17 years, driving a bus for special needs children. She also owned a Wedding Cake business for 22 years. The Holdermans are long time members of the Corvallis Evangelical Church where Bernie served in a variety of volunteer capacities over the years. She taught Bible School for special needs children, served as Communion Steward, Flower Steward and Wedding Co-ordinator. Bernie was an avid sportswoman and while in high school was recruited by a pro-softball scout. She spent four years playing pro-softball. She was also an archer and competitive horseshoe player. Bernie was instrumental in forming the Corvallis Women’s Bowling Association. She bowled for 55 consecutive years, retiring in 2001 as the last of the original members of the association. Preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Ella Matthews and Lillian Stauch and her brother Floyd Johnson. Bernie is survived by her husband of 61 years, Woody Holderman; daughter and her husband Mindy and Valentino Batti of Panama; grandson and his wife Sean and Becky Searle of Washington; granddaughter and her husband Heather and Steve Smith of Georgia; great grandchildren Christian, Gillian and Kaitlyn Smith and Alexis and Madison Searle; and her nephew John Johnson. Private interment will take place in Redondo Beach, California. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday May 21st at the Corvallis Evangelical Church 1525 Kings Blvd. Memorial donations in Bernie’s name may be directed to Heartland Humane Society in care of McHenry Funeral Home 206 NW 5th St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Berneice Viola Holderman

June 25, 1918 - May 16, 2009