Bernadine Potbury, 90, formerly of 1102 Neil Avenue in St. Marys, OH died 6:25 p.m. Saturday December 31, 2011 at Otterbein St. Marys.

She was born May 3, 1921 in Brown City, MI to Roy and Cora Mae (Walker) Eastman.

On August 5, 1939 she married Robert E. Potbury, who died February 21, 1993.

Survivors include: 

daughter, Debora (James) Geis  of Wapakoneta, OH

son, Don (Joanne) Potbury  of Ft. Wayne, IN

3 grandchildren: Daniel (Crystal) Geis of Winfield, MO; Laura (Ryan) Brandt of St. Marys, OH; Scott Geis of Wapakoneta, OH

3 great-grandchildren: Seth, Aleah and Hannah Brandt, all of St. Marys, OH

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Etta-Mae Richardson.

She retired as secretary of the Potbury Ford, Inc. auto dealership and had also done clothing alterations for the Island Dress Shop, both in St. Marys.

She was a member of The First Church of the Nazarene in St. Marys, where she had received a Distinguished Service Award in 2004. She had also been a member of both the Music Club and Shakespeare Club.

She volunteered for JTDM Hospital auxiliary and Adult Basic Learning & Education program. An active member of the St. Marys Sister Cities Organization, she spent countless hours sharing  American culture with Japanese members of our community.

Her favorite pastimes included needlework, painting and crafts. Many were surprised to learn that she held her private pilot’s license.

She was honored to have been chosen as “Woman of the Year” in 1997 for the City of St. Marys.

Funeral rites are scheduled 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 4, 2012 at First Church of The Nazarene, 390 Indiana Avenue in St. Marys, with The Rev. Timothy Smith, officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation 2 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at Miller – Long & Folk Funeral Home 314 W. High Street in St. Marys.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either the St. Marys Church of the Nazarene or Otterbein St. Marys.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.