Beatrice Marlene ‘Bea’ Eppert, 77, of Syracuse, Ind., passed away at 1:25 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Syracuse.

She was born on Sept. 20, 1935, in Goshen, Ind., to Charles Howard and Emma Laverne (Bailey) Johnson. On July 4, 1966, in Rome City, Ind., she married Earl Eppert who preceded her in 1992.

She was a lifetime area resident and graduated from Warsaw High School. She was retired as a nurse’s aide from Avalon Village in Ligonier, Ind., after several years of service. She was a member of Benton Free Baptist Church and Eagles Aerie 3760 in Syracuse.

She is survived by two daughters: Connie Sue (Scott) Amsden, Milford, Ind.; Melinda Lou (Roger) Cannon, Syracuse; two sons; Leonard (Cindy) Allen, Vandalia, Mich.; Steven ‘Mike’ (Peggy) Eppert, Syracuse; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister: Betty (Dale) Clouse, Albion, Ind.; four brothers: Delbert (Shirley) Johnson, Albion; Kenny Johnson, Albion; Roger (Connie) Johnson, Ablion; Harold (Shirley) Johnson, Avilla, Ind.

She is preceded by her parents, husband; a daughter: Rebecca Bills; granddaughter: Michelle Eppert; and grandson: Samuel Cannon; two sisters: Loretta Clark; Lottie Ley; and two brothers; Jack Johnson; Wesley Johnson.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25, at the funeral home with Reverend Lenny Krebs of the church officiating. Burial will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery.

Memorial bequest may be given to Animal Welfare League, 3498 E. 100S, Pierceton, IN 46562 or Benton Free Baptist Church, 67939 Mission St., Goshen, IN 46526.