Bertha Lucille Custer
Bertha Lucille Custer, 95, of North Manchester, formerly of Wabash, died Saturday, July 11, 2015, at Timbercrest Senior Living Community Health Care. She was born Feb. 2, 1920 near Roann, to Charles C. and Lucinda (Burger) Miller.
Bertha was a 1938 graduate of Roann High School and attended Fort Wayne Business College. She first married Irvin Custer in Roann on April 24, 1943; he died May 25, 1978. She then married Conrad Snavely in 2000. She was a homemaker and also worked in the office at Wabash Magnetics. Bertha was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren in Wabash and North Manchester, was active in both local and district offices, volunteered one year in Baltimore, Md. for the Church of the Brethren Volunteer service, and also taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Habitat of Humanity Board of Directors, past chair and volunteer of the year of the Wabash unit of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association, former girl scout leader and Meals on Wheels driver. Bertha enjoyed her church, traveling, reading, and cross-stitching.
She is survived by her husband: Conrad Snavely, North Manchester; three children: Stephen C. (Jan) Custer, Carlisle, Pa.; Dean (Debbie) Custer, Lagro; Kathleen Custer, Indianapolis; two stepsons: Brent Snavely, Remus, Mich.; and James Snavely, San Benito, Texas; four grandchildren: Eva (Brad) Martin; Jerry (Jenn) Custer; Jay (Kim) Custer; and Jill (Don) Beamer; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: Gene Custer, North Manchester; and Raymond “Bud” Zink, Delphi; and several nieces; nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Caroline Kesler; Esther Bell; Lloyd Miller; Helen Zimmerman; Lois Kendall; and William Isaac; and granddaughter: Carrie Custer, who died in 1976.
.A memorial service for Bertha will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Timbercrest Chapel, North Manchester. Friends may call one hour prior to the service Saturday at Timbercrest. As a continued act of service, Bertha donated her body to the IU School of Medicine. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service.
Memorial donations may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester.
The memorial guestbook for Bertha can be signed on-line at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
The family would like to thank Shannon and the entire staff at Timbercrest and the Visiting Nurse and Hospice staff, especially Julie, for the loving care extended to their mother.