“Life’s sunshine may be checkered with its shadows… but all is well if so my Father wills.” Life’s journey of ninety-two years ended for Berneice L. Pfautz of Marion, as she was called home to be with her heavenly Father on Sunday evening, August 24, 2014, with her loving daughter’s by her side following a brief illness.
On March 2, 1922, Berneice was born in Lima, Ohio, the youngest in a family of eight children of the late William “Bill” Aaron Smith and Elizabeth (Wessler) Smith. All the members of her immediate family have preceded her in death.
But history in reality is “His Story.” So life is meaningfully important.
Due to the family background of religious influence, Berneice was converted at the early age of 14 on November 15, 1936, and later sought and obtained the grace of holiness of heart.
After graduating from Lima Central High School in 1942, she attended God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio for three years. While in school her path crossed with Rev. John C. Woodward, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and later they married on August 21, 1944.
God’s plan unfolded for them, and along with their two children from John’s former marriage to Bernice Heath, who died during childbirth, John and Berneice entered their pastorate with their little ready-made family in Louisville, Kentucky.
During their marriage of 43 years, they pastored churches not only in Louisville, Kentucky, but also in West Frankfort, Illinois; Silver Street Church in Marion, Ohio; Canal Church in Utica, Pennsylvania; and back again in Illinois at the Oblong Church of the same city. Their pastorates were of a longer time-frame tenure; the longest was 19 years at Marion Church in Marion, Ohio. Also, they served in the evangelistic field according to appointment by their Conference. Together their goal emphasized a spiritual impact in their personal lives as well as in their public ministry in the church.
Their children totaled six in number, with treasured memories along life’s pathway. The five surviving siblings continue in their chosen areas. Starting with the oldest: Joy Hostetler and son in Lebanon, Tennessee; John P. (Jann) Woodward in Marion, Ohio; Joseph (Becky) Woodward in Longwood, Florida; Faith (Rev. Merle) Troyer in Louisburg, Kansas; and Hope Woodward and family in Marion, Ohio; and also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandies.
Their son Philip Woodward suffered a diving accident, leaving him a wheelchair quadriplegic. He taught school in Florida for 16 years before he passed away on September 12, 2009.
Also, Rev. John C. Woodward suffered a fatal heart attack while still on the pastorate in Oblong, Illinois. He was “called, chosen, and faithful”- he exchanged his cross for a crown, leaving a godly example for us all to follow.
“And the end is not yet.” Five years after the death of her husband, John C. Woodward, Berneice met Rev. Olin M. Pfautz, another minister of the same denomination, and they were married on June 27, 1992. After 14 years of ministering while they were still able, Rev, Pfautz passed to his reward on August 17, 2009, leaving his 3 daughters (from a former marriage to Dorotha Strimple). Their names are Merla (Tom) Bartlett and Mrs. Starr Piercy, both of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Dr. June Van Bruggen of Durham, North Carolina. Since his passing, Berneice has been planning for her own glorious day of His appearing.
Her family will greet friends from Noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, at the Marion Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church (address below). Services giving glory to God for her life will follow there at 2 p.m., with Rev. William M. Cope and Rev. David A. Blowers officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Heights Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1828 Marion Williamsport Rd. East, Marion, OH 43302.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Berneice’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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