Helen Bernice Tully

Helen Bernice Tully, 97, of rural Knoxville, died at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville. Bernice was born on September 11, 1910 in Lovilia, Iowa, the daughter of Hal and Margaret Morrissey Cobb. She married Michael Joseph Tully on April 15, 1936 in Newton, Iowa. Surviving Bernice are, 2 sons, Ronald (Jo Ann) Tully of California and Patrick (Sandra) of Wataga; 2 daughters, Michele Harmon of Knoxville and Mary Jane (John) Inzirillo of California; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. Preceding Bernice in death were, her husband, Michael on April 4, 2003; a son, Gary; a daughter, Judith; and 2 sisters. Bernice graduated from Newton High School in 1928. She was a homemaker and farmed with her husband for over 50 years. She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and its Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Egypt Neighborhood Club. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2007 at Corpus Christi Church, with the Rev. Deus-Dedit Byabato, officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Friday at Watson Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Peoria. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society.