Bernice E. (Parr) Gillam, age 84 of Elwood & Tipton County, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family early Monday, August 29, 2016 following a brief illness. She was born November 9, 1931 in the Curtisville community in Tipton County to Walter and Julia "Marie" (Davis) Parr. After completing school at the Sisters' of St. Joseph Academy and Tipton High School, she married the love of her life, William Ralph Gillam, on April 15, 1950. Bernice was a dedicated homemaker and mother all of her life. She and Ralph were devoted members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood, and Bernice was especially dedicated to reciting the Rosary. She also enjoyed reading and crocheting in her leisure time. She will be remembered for her devotion to her husband, family, and her church.

Bernice's family includes her husband of 66 years, Ralph Gillam of Elwood; son William "Bill" (wife Claudia) Gillam of Elwood; son Larry (wife Pam) Gillam of Elwood; son Randy (wife Cindy) Gillam of Tipton; daughter Melinda (husband Kent) Sharp of Elwood; and daughter-in-law Brenda Gillam of Elwood; her sisters Marge (husband Ebe) Cotton of Fishers and formerly of Elwood, Shirley Rohrer of Carmel, and Carolyn Plake of Tipton; sisters-in-law, Rita Parr of Austell, GA. and Sandra Parr of Kokomo; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters Evelyn and husband Harold Gerard and Alice and husband John Duffy; 2 brothers Louis Parr and Jack Parr; son, Philip Gillam in 2011; and a brother-in-law, Frank Rohrer.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home, and will include a Rosary Service at 4:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church or American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be expressed at copherfeslermay.com.