PEORIA – Bernice E. Chance, 93, of Peoria, passed away at 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Apostolic Christian Skyline.

Bernice was born on April 4, 1919 in Peoria to Julius and Eleanor (Bucher) Kelch. She married Charles Leonard Chance Sr. on July 30, 1938 in Peoria. He passed away on December 30, 1981.

Also preceding her in death were three brothers Herbert, Robert, and Albert Kelch and son-in-law Ronald Casson.

Bernice is survived by five children Donna Chance of Peoria, Carolyn Casson of Flossmoor, Charles (Lani) Chance Jr. of Simpsonville, SC, Stephen (Dorothy) Chance of Clayton, NC, and Michael (Barbara) Chance Sr. of Peoria; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and four sisters Emeline Schurter of Peoria, Delores McNaghten of Centralia, MO, Patricia Thompson of Peoria, and Barbara (Mike) Heinemann of Sunnyvale, CA.

Bernice was a homemaker. She was a member of the University of Illinois Home Extension and Cursillo. She was past president of the Daughters of Isabella, past president of St. Thomas Widow & Widowers Club, past member of the Catholic Women's League.

She was a former member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic Church and its Mary and Martha Group.

She was the recipient of many honors for her volunteerism at Methodist Hospital. She also volunteered at the Peoria Blind Center.

Bernice was an expert seamstress making vestments for St. Cecilia's Parish and the Peoria Diocese Bishop.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Rev. Thomas Taylor will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 and one hour prior to the Mass at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Scripture service will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Peoria Cursillo, 401 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 or Southside Office of Concern, 301 NE Jefferson, Peoria, IL 61602.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.