Bernita Brubaker

Bernita M. (Drewes) Brubaker, age 95, of Hamler, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Vancrest Health Care Center, Holgate, Ohio on February 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. We are comforted knowing she was welcomed by her beloved husband, Gene. Bernita was born to William & Katharina (Kestner) on August 31, 1929. Bernita was unique in that she was physically born in her parents’ home and raised her own children there. She didn’t leave her family home until she moved to Vancrest at age 91! Bernita married Eugene Brubaker on April 19, 1951, and they shared nearly 41 years of marriage before Gene unexpectedly passed away on March 12, 1992. Gene & Bernita were high school sweethearts – he truly was the love of her life. She never wanted to remarry and always said, “I had the best!” Together, they raised nine children on their family farm. They believed strongly in faith, family, and community. Bernita was a 1947 graduate of Hamler High School. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church – there she served as president of the Altar Rosary Society, chairman of the annual Social, and was on the Prayer Chain and Flower Committee for many years. Bernita was on the Republican Central Committee and the Election Board, where she served as Presiding Judge for the Monroe Precinct. She enjoyed being a Gray Lady at Henry County Hospital, as well as being a Red Cross blood drive volunteer. Bernita served as Day Food Chairman for many years at the Hamler Summerfest and served alongside Gene the year he was President. Bernita was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 262 Auxiliary. She especially enjoyed serving on the Hamler Library Board and took pride in being a lifetime Patrick Henry Athletic Booster member. Bernita was a people-person, outgoing, very sociable, and always had a smile on her face. In light of all Bernita’s community involvement, the role she valued the most was that of “Mom”. She had nine children in thirteen years! She always had a love of children, and her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and baker. She loved being in her garden and was still mowing the lawn and pulling weeds at 90! She had an equal love of reading and of sports. She was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Detroit Tigers, and, of course, the Patrick Henry Patriots. Her greatest heartache was losing Gene. However, Bernita relied on her faith, carried on, and became the beloved matriarch of her large family. She continued serving the community, became the “event coordinator” among her friends, and took delight in the birth of each new great-grandchild. She is leaving our family a wonderful legacy to carry on. We will miss her immensely but are grateful for all the years we were blessed to have her. Left to cherish Bernita’s memory are her children: Maryann Hoye, William (Sharon) Brubaker, Robert (Joyce) Brubaker, James (Cindy) Brubaker, Thomas (Jolene) Brubaker, Eileen Brubaker, Dennis (Geri) Brubaker, Sue (Bill) Pfefferle, and Laurie Brubaker; 24 grandchildren: Dawn Brubaker, Sara (Jim) Legarth, Neil (Elizabeth) Brubaker, Ashley (Jim) Keyte, Katie (Mark) McDonagh, Michelle (Jonathan) Donaldson, Erin (Marcus) McGee, Lucas (Amy) Brubaker, Rachel (Corey) Mears, Jennifer (Mitch) Duffy, Lee (Hailey) Brubaker, Matthew (Julie) Brubaker, Joshua Hoye, Kelcey (Marc) Krauss, Kyle (Jen) Brubaker, Logan (Carly) Brubaker, Tiffany (Bruce) Guyer, Anthony Hoye, Brooke (Bronson) Wetsch, Megan (Ethan) Mathias, Cody (Brittany) Brubaker, Jessica Hoye, Ryan Pfefferle, and Jenna (James) Trucco; 42 Great-Grandchildren; 1 Step-Great-Grandchild; and 1 Step-Great-Great-Grandchild. Also surviving are numerous nieces & nephews, as well as godchildren, Linda Bernath and Scott Schwiebert. Those who pre-deceased Bernita, in addition to her parents and Gene, are: Siblings: George (Mildred) Drewes, Emilie (George) Schwiebert, Lawrence (Argyle) Drewes, Norman Drewes, Helen (Richard) Enz, and infant, Louis Drewes; Sister-in-law: Angela (Carl) Beindorf; Brothers-in-law: Joseph (Mildred) Brubaker and Francis (Mary Jane) Brubaker. Visitation will be on Friday, February 21st from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, 1010 Westmoreland Ave, Napoleon, Ohio and also at the church one hour prior to the Mass. The Catholic funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 22nd at St. Paul’s Catholic Chapel, Hamler, with Father Nick Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Hamler. The family would like to give a grateful “thank you” to those at Vancrest who cared for Bernita during her stay. The family suggests memorials can be made to American Legion-Post 262 (Hamler), Hamler Library, or Ohio Right to Life.

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Bernita Brubaker

August 31, 1929 - February 17, 2025