Pawnee — Howardene Bernelda "Bernie" Floyd, 97, of Pawnee, Illinois, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She was born Feb. 9, 1927, in Springfield to Irma Mae Caster. She was preceded in death by her mother, Irma; her husband, Bill, of 59 years; and a son-in-law, Kurt Lee.

Bernie was a past member of the St. Mary's Ladies Auxiliary in Pawnee and the Elks Ladies Lodge 158 in Springfield.

Bernie was raised in Springfield and graduated from Lanphier High School in 1945. After high school, she began working at Sangamo Electric, where she met the love of her life, William E. Floyd. They were married June 21, 1947, at St. Joseph's Church rectory in Springfield and moved to Pawnee to begin raising a family.

Bernie, as she was known to all, was a talented seamstress and could crochet beautiful afghans. She was a den mother and Brownie leader while her children were in Scouts. Cooking meals for her family was a passion and there was always room at her table for neighborhood kids.

She and Bill never missed any of the sporting events at Pawnee schools, and they hosted many after-game parties with their friends. They loved to travel as a couple, and she loved to fish. Bill was in real estate sales, and together they bought and refurbished homes, and Bernie was the woodwork connoisseur. When their grandchildren came along, they were so excited to spend as much time with them as they could. So, the sporting events cycle began again!

She is survived by her children, William T. (wife, Annee') Floyd of Oregon, Candace Lee of Willits, California, and Joette (husband, Kenton) Manning of Pawnee; grandchildren, Jeremy (wife, Lisa) Strawn, Sarah (husband, Jamie) Maley of Rochester, Morgan (husband, Brian Chandler) Manning of Springfield, Nichole Hanley of Sacramento, California, and Libby (Matt) Clinton of Glorietta, New Mexico; and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Cody, Savannah, Hadleigh, Megan, Isabelle, Lauren and Hannah.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Services are private, with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Pawnee at a later date.

Memorials honoring Bernie may be made to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O. Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558.

Curry Funeral Home is serving the family of Bernie Floyd. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.