Erna M. Bernadic (Dries) Vanderploeg

   Erna M. Dries Bernadic Vanderploeg of Danville, joined the Church Triumphant on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at North Logan Healthcare Center. She was 94 years old.

   Born on October 8, 1925 in Mainz, Germany to Karl and Katharine (Gerheiser) Dries. She married Frank C. Bernadic on April 1, 1950 in Danville, IL.  Erna was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Joseph and his wife Alice, a sister Katie and a brother-in-law Leon Rome (married to Eleanor). Her Aunt Katharine Dries Fishman (who was instrumental in bringing her brother Joseph, Erna and her sister Eleanor to America) also preceded her. Two of her three children: Frank Bernadic and Denise M. Bernadic Self, also preceded her.

   Erna is survived by her sister Eleanor M. Dries Rome; a son Thomas (Sandra) Bernadic; a daughter-in-law Linda (Frank) Bernadic; and a son-in-law Randy (Denise) Self. She also leaves behind three grandchildren: Randy (Wes) Self Jr., Angela (Vince) Meyer, and Christina (Eric) Budzyn; six great grandchildren (five children of Angela and Vince Meyer and one of Christina and Eric Budzyn); and numerous nieces and nephews.

   As a young child and woman, Erna danced ballet in Germany. After moving to the United States, she taught ballet in the Detroit, MI area for many years before moving to Tennessee to be near her beloved daughter Denise and eventually returning to Danville. She has been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Danville since 2001.

   Visitation for Erna will be on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 12pm-1pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1930 N. Bowman Avenue in Danville. Services will be at 1pm at Immanuel Lutheran, with graveside rites at Lutheran Cemetery to follow. Messages and memories for the family may be left on our website at www.KrugerCoanPape.com, or on the Kruger-Coan-Pape Funeral Home Facebook page.

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