Bernice Louise Tucker

Bernice Louise Tucker, 94, of Panama, Illinois, passed away on March 16, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Bernice was born on August 10, 1931, in Bond County, Illinois, just east of Donnellson. She is the daughter of Orville Mervin and Lorraine Elizabeth (Pate) Garwood. She married Robert C. ‘Bob’ Howard on July 2, 1949. This union brought forth two children: Jeffrey and Jodee. They later divorced in 1958. She then shared her life with her soulmate, Robert E. ‘Bob’ Tucker, marrying on August 31, 1984, and shared 13 wonderful years together, until Bob’s passing on September 25, 1997.

After graduating from the Hillsboro Class of 1948, she went on to get her realtor and broker licenses, where she sold real estate in Decatur, Illinois. Later, she obtained her beautician’s license running a beauty shop on the square of Sullivan, Illinois and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Illinois. After meeting Robert Tucker, they moved to Savannah, Georgia for his job advancement and while there, married the love of her life. They returned to Panama, bought her parents’ family home, remodeled it, and enjoyed “retirement.”

There, Bob built her a little shop on her front porch to do the hair of the ladies of Panama, which she continued well into her 70’s. She also was an excellent seamstress, even selling her designs in her shop.

The grandchildren liked to refer to her as the ‘fashionista’ grandma. She always dressed well when going out and took pride in her appearance. She was very social, had a fun personality, and a great sense of humor. She enjoyed working on game puzzles, going out to nice dinners, and dancing.

Family was one of the biggest joys in her life. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren more than anything. If you spoke to her, for even a short moment, you would know that and probably heard a story or two whether you wanted to or not.

Church and social gatherings were also very important to her. She was a long-standing member of the United Methodist Church, Ladies Auxiliary VFW #6628, Senior Citizens, and even started the Bunco groups in Panama.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Robert, brothers, Thomas and Leslie Garwood, and stepchildren Jan Lawrence, Mark Titus, and Mike Titus.

Surviving Bernice are her children, Jeffrey Howard of Panama, Illinois, Jodee (Russell) Johnson of Mt. Zion, Illinois, and step-daughter, Kathyrn (Sonny) Phipps of Black Mountain, North Carolina; grandchildren, Rusty (Haley) Johnson, Kristy Johnson, Shannon (Shanon) Borntrager, all of Mt. Zion, Illinois; great grandchildren, Aralynn, Ayla, Baylor, Cameron, Mazelynn, Alex; and sister in law, Sandra Garwood of Litchfield, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, the family requests memorials to the Montgomery County Senior Citizens, in memory of Bernice.

Memorial donations may be given at the visitation or mailed to: Montgomery County Senior Citizens, 8583 IL 127, Taylor Springs, IL 62089.

Visitation: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm., Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Assalley Funeral Home, 117 Walnut St., Panama, IL 62077.

Funeral: following the visitation with Pastor Ray Snider officiating.

Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, Panama, Illinois.

The family has entrusted Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Panama with the ceremony.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.