Bernice L. "Bud" Illig's Obituary
Bernice Louise "Bud" Illig was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2025 at age 89. She was the youngest of nine children born to Charles H. and Susan A. McGuire on October 9, 1935 in Cresson, PA. She received the nickname "Bud" from years of fetching Budweiser beers for her older brothers.
Bernice is preceded in death by her parents Charles H. McGuire and Susan A. McGuire, and siblings Robert (Lucille) McGuire, M. Margaret (Bob) Sutton, Charles B. McGuire, Leo P. (Frances) McGuire, Paul (Donna) McGuire, and brother-in-laws Ray Hahn and Jack Hall.
Bernice is survived by her husband Eugene (Butch) Illig, sisters Hilda Hahn and Lois Hall, daughters Sue Ann (Ken) Klaber, Gina (Jim) Thomas, Patty (Harris) Jones, Christine (Hans) Tandon, son Greg (Becky) Illig, and 19 grandchildren (Teresa, Jared and Eric Klaber; Emily, Pete, Luke, and Jack Thomas; Claire, Duncan, Ryan, and Brody Jones; Michael, Justin, and Braden Illig; Rachel Lou, Grace, Mariana, Celia, and Avery Tandon).
Bud became a Registered Nurse after High School and spent most of her career working as a geriatric nurse at Kane Hospital and later providing in-home elder care.
She married her high school sweetheart, Eugene "Butch" Illig, on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1960 and they moved to Pittsburgh to work and start their family. Together they raised 5 children in a loving home filled with lots of laughter and activity. Family vacations centered around visits to extended family across the US. After raising their children, Bud and Butch spent time traveling abroad to Ireland, Italy, and the Holy Land, before settling into their cherished roles as grandparents to 19 grandchildren. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary with family.
Bud was the ultimate care giver for her family, friends, and the neighborhood. She took care of the hearts and physical wounds of many - her side porch was the first 'Urgent Care' around. Though she raised 5 kids while working, she always planned ahead and could pull meals out of her freezer at a moments notice. She had an open door policy, loved the holidays and family celebrations, and was known for her gifts of homemade fudge and caramel popcorn. She enjoyed playing cards, cheering for kids and grandkids from the bleachers, organizing family gatherings, and using her paper calendar and pen to track family happenings and events. After 58 years in their first home on Gene Drive, they moved to Brookdale in 2022 where they quickly made new friends, partcipated in community activities, and became beloved by many.
Bud was a devout Catholic and had a strong relationship with Jesus and Mary. She lived her faith through generous and humble service to others. She prayed with her rosary group weekly and was a faithful member of St. Germaine Church.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road.
A funeral service is scheduled for 10 am on March 21, 2025 at St. Germaine Catholic Church in Bethel Park, PA. Family asks for everyone to meet at the church.
Memorial Donations can be made in Bernice's name to People Concerned for the Unborn Child, www.pcuc.org.
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