Edna Bernice Emrick

Edna Bernice (Crawley) Emrick, 90, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, died on Jan. 16, 2023 in Land of Lakes, Fla. She was 90.

Originally from the rolling hills of northern Owen and southern Putnam counties, Bernice was born on Jan. 9, 1933 to Clara (Galimore) Crawley and William Daniel Crawley.

The oldest of five siblings, Bernice spent much of her time while not in school taking care of her brothers and sister and working to earn extra money to help her mother. Her parents divorced when she was 12. Because of this she made many sacrifices, as she felt the need to always put her family first. She struck out to make a living at a young age and moved to Greencastle bringing her family with her. While working at Home Laundry and then as a telephone operator, her hard work paid off and she bought her first home at the age of 18 for her family and her to live in.

Later she moved to Indianapolis to work at Stokely Van Camp. In her new city, she met and married Robert Allen Emrick of Indianapolis on May 29, 1957.

The newlyweds began their family in Indianapolis and lived northwest of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through the 1960s. In 1972, they moved the family to West Palm Beach, Fla., where they raised their four children.

Bernice continued to work hard at several jobs in bookkeeping before retiring from the Palm Beach County Library System as acquisitions manager.

Bernice was a dedicated sports fan, rooting for her favorite Indiana and Florida teams.

She bowled in several leagues and enjoyed tennis and golf.

Family and friends looked forward to her wonderful cooking, and playing card games and Sequence on her patio.

Most importantly, Bernice was a beacon of kindness in this world. She was incredibly selfless, and from the time she was young until her death, she took great care of those around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her three brothers: Floyd, Wilbur and Harold Wayne Crawley; a sister-in-law, Anna Mae Crawley; and a grandson, Randy Barber.

She will live on in the memory of those who loved her including her four children, Kathleen Hufford (Wes), Karen Hirt Mannon (Jim), Kristina Ross (Chris) and Michael Emrick, her sister, Lori Straley (Bob); sisters-in-law Judy Crawley and Mary Crawley; and several nieces and nephews. Additionally, she is missed by six grandchildren, Kelly Almerico, Ryan Barber, Alexandra Hirt, Samuel Hirt, Thomas Ross and Mindy Ross; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A funeral service and celebration of life luncheon will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greencastle on March 4. The funeral service begins at 11 a.m., with a brief graveside service to follow. The celebration of life and luncheon will take place in the fellowship hall at noon. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the ASPCA or your local animal shelter.