Bernice Mcpeak

Bernice Louise McPeak, 85, Topeka, passed away Monday, August 25, 2008. Bernice was born January 7, 1923 in Topeka the daughter of George W. and Clara Etta (Searles) Eggleston, Jr. She graduated from Topeka High School. She married William Francis "Bill" McPeak in Topeka on August 8, 1942. He preceded her in death in January of 1973.



She worked at the candy counter for Kresgies Dime Store and as a supervisor for Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Topeka for 15 years before retiring.



Bernice was a member of First Christian Church. She was a long time member of the Southwest Wren's, the West Ridge Wren's, Thursday's Super Seniors and Senior Supers Bowling League's. She also was a member of the Topeka 500 Bowling Club. She did volunteer work at Stormont Vail Hospital and at the McCarter school library for five years. During her thirty one years of marriage to Bill they lived in Kansas City, St. Louis, MO, and Wichita, KS. After Bill's death Bernice returned to Topeka so she could be close to her family.



Some of her fond memories were at their cabin at Wabaunsee Lake where they fished and went boating. Besides bowling she liked to read, garden, play bridge, canasta and poker. Bernice was very musical. She played the organ, a guitar and her ukulele. She would tell stories of her dogs she loved so well, Tippy, Skippy, Choo Choo, and Hiedi. They were her children, she would say.



Bernice was also preceded in death by her parents; her baby daughter, Marguerite Louise; sister, Beatrice Eggleston Steed; brother in-law, George Steed; brother, Duane "Bud" Eggleston and her sister-in-law Alvina Eggleston Garcia; her sister-in-law Margaret McPeak Stine; and her brother-in-law Albert McPeak.

Survivors include nieces; Teresa L. (Frank) Larson, Nixa, MO, Vaughnita J. (Harlan) Withington, Rogers, AR, Crystal L. Crihfield, Midland, TX; three great nieces; Tiffany Crihfield, Brittany Burns, Chelsea Crihfield; four great nephews, Michael Bartkoski, Sean Walker, Alex Withington, Joseph Crihfield; two great great nephews, Jordan Millsap, Mason Burns; sister-in-law, Virginia Fieger, Topeka; brother-in-law Tom (Audrey) McPeak, South Carolina; and cousins, Jerry (Shirley) Eggleston and Judy (Veryl )Whisler; and special angel and friend, Velma (Jack) Hawkins.



Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2008 at Mount Hope Mausoleum Chapel. Entombment will follow in Mount Hope Mausoleum. Bernice will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.



Memorial contributions may be sent to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606; American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604; or Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604.