MIDDLE FALLS — Bernice G. Searles, age 87, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.
Born February 22, 1928 in Greenwich, NY, she was the daughter of the late Edna (Wells) Morehouse and Wayne Earl Morehouse. She married Eldridge Stewart Searles on February 23, 1947 in Greenwich. A graduate of Greenwich High School, Bernice later earned her Real Estate license. She worked at The Dress Factory which was located at 60 Hill St. in Greenwich through the 50's and 60's and was an Avon Lady for the Greenwich and Middle Falls area for many years. Bernice was also known as the Strawberry Lady, as she would sell strawberries along Rt. 29 in Middle Falls. She enjoyed baking and playing cards with her numerous friends that would stop by to visit and share some homemade pies and fudge with them.
She attended The Bottskill Baptist Church with the Pastor Louis Powell in Greenwich for many years, and most recently attended The Church of Christ in West Rupert, Vt. with Pastor Paul Mychack.
Bernice is predeceased by her husband of 59 years Eldridge S. Searles; two brothers Earl and George Morehouse and four sisters, Anita (Morehouse) Howe, Genevieve (Morehouse) Knowlton, Janet (Morehouse) Sylvain, and Joan (Morehouse) Evans.
Survivors include her three sons, Donald G. Morehouse (Dawn) of Saratoga Springs, Leith E. Searles (Terri) of Middle Falls and Eldridge W. G. Searles (Martina) of Klatavoy, Czech Republic.; two daughters, Bonnie (Searles) Carpenter, (the late Charles W. Carpenter) of Ballston Spa and Brenda J. (Searles) Ebert (John) of Schaghticoke; 12 grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Elton Morehouse and William Morehouse (Donna) of Hudson Falls; one sister, Muriel (Morehouse) Dunn of Las Vegas, NV, along with many nieces and nephews.
She has many friends from the Washington Co. Rehabilitation Center in Argyle, N.Y. where she has been living for the last two and a half years. We want to thank them for the excellent care of our mother.
There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be at the Elmwood Cemetery, Schaghticoke, NY, officiated by Pastor Paul Mychack, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015 at 11a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
