Service Details
Homegoing Services will be held in Wayman AME Church (424 N. Memorial Drive Racine, WI 53404) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 11:00 am with Pastor Thomas Poole officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Viewing will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and in Wayman AME Church on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Wayman Church has provided a link to view the service on Wednesday by selecting the following link:
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Miller's Flowers
Bernice Izetta (Iles) Bronaugh was called home by her loving Savior after completing her earthly journey on March 7, 2025, at the age of 96.
Affectionately known as “Baby,” Bernice was born on July 27, 1928, in Quincy, Illinois, to the late George and Juanita Iles. She accepted Christ at the age of 12 and was an active member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and sang in the Young Adult choir. She graduated from Quincy Senior High School.
In July 1947, at 18 years old, Bernice moved to Racine, Wisconsin and became a devoted member of Wayman AME Church, becoming one of its first ushers, and sang in the choir. She worked at Lerner’s Department Store as a window dresser and took vocal lessons.
Five years later, in1952, she married the love of her life, Arthur L. Bronaugh, Jr, and together they united for 51 years of marriage until his passing in 2003. She adored her family, extending her love to in-laws, and made it a tradition to share her homemade cookies, fudge and chop suey during the holiday season.
Bernice loved serving the Lord at Wayman, devoting her time to different organizations like the Hospitality Committee and Kids Cafe. She sang in the Youth Choir, Gospel Chorus and United Voices for Christ Choir. Bernice oversaw the Parsonage Committee as Chaplin and Chairman, served as a Class Leader and an elected Trustee. Bernice received the Unsung-Shero Award in 2006 and was ordained a Deaconess of the Church on September 26, 2019.
Bernice was employed at Western Publishing for 34 years, working on the shipping line and in the Boat Store. Her passion for helping children led her to volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program through Goodwill Industries, assisting students at Mitchell Elementary School in Kindergarten through Third Grade with reading, writing and math.
Whether reading, baking, crocheting, working on a numbers puzzle, coloring or watching a ball game, Bernice welcomed you in with a friendly smile and warm heart. She leaves to celebrate her Homegoing: Debra (Jon) Perry, Tighe Bronaugh, Darren (Karla) Bronaugh, Grandchildren, Justin (Tamara) Bronaugh, Janelle Bronaugh, Adrian Perry, Courtney Bronaugh, Brittney (Jameson) Thompson, Bryan Garrett Bronaugh, Kayla Bronaugh, Tyler Bair, and Trenton Bronaugh. Nephew, Daniel Iles. Great Grandchild, Ayden Bronaugh and a host of family, cousins and friends.
Proceeding her in death are her parents, George and Juanita Iles, Arthur L. Bronaugh, Jr., son, Jeffrey Bryan Bronaugh, brother, Colonel George D. Iles, nephew, Bruce Adrian Iles, mother and father-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephew-in-law and great aunts, uncles, cousins.
Homegoing Services will be held in Wayman AME Church (424 N. Memorial Drive Racine, WI 53404) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 11:00 am with Pastor Thomas Poole officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Viewing will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and in Wayman AME Church on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Valeria Hines, Apt 263 says
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Sending condolences to the family.
Stacey Moore & Family says
Sorry for your loss We send our condolences to the Bronaugh family.
Craig and Tracy Hall says
My dear cousins,
Craig and I are sad to hear about the passing of Aunt Bernice. We will always cherish the memory of singing at our wedding. She truly had the voice of an angel. We pray for God to provide all you need to get through these difficult days. We know he will be present and pray you are comforted. Our deepest condolences to you, the family and friends who were privileged to know and love Aunt Bernice. Love Craig and Tracy
Corliss Sosniak says
Bernice, you were always an Earth Angel 😇 who touched the lives of so many and we are blessed that God has given each of us the ability to replay those memorable moments where you will remain in our hearts ♥️ forever.
I love you soooooooo much!
Candace [Ingram] Tate says
Tight and Darren, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am saddened by your loss.🙏🏼
Candace [Ingram] Tate says
Tighe and Darren, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am saddened by your loss.🙏🏼
Dennis Thompson says
My prayers and condolences 🙏🏾
Ella. Richardson says
I will surely miss my friend. She was a very special lady @christmas time i will miss her pecan dreams and the talks we had rest in peace Bernice. To her children’s hang in there she is walking around heaven. With a smile
Chisholm and Joanne Allen says
Our deepest condolences and sending our Love to the family
Olivia Bolton-Cooper says
Hello Family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope it helps to remember that Bernice is in God’s care. Love you all
Samantha Moore/Mary Harrell says
To the Family, Mrs. Bernice was a very special lady; she had a beautiful smile and voice.
I will always treasure the times My Mom and I were with her at Sunday School. and how she
loved God and her Family. She will be missed. I know she is singing and baking in heaven.
Love and Prayers to the Family.
Delores Williams says
To All the Family,
You All have my Deepest Condolences. I had the Pleasure of meeting Mrs. Bernice, shortly after I moved in the building. She had the Brightest Glow and the Biggest Smile. I told her right then, ” You look like we should be Family” we both laughed. I was always told “God put people on your Path for a reason” We seemed to become Family these last 3 years as we sat and talked at times and played our weekly game of Phase 10 with Ms. Johnnie, Monique and Ms. Liz. Ms. Bernice was a Blessing to Us All and a Gift to Everyone who knew her. Truly one of God’s Best, She earned her Crown and I know it is Shining Very bright. I Thank God for placing her on my path. She was and will remain Phenomenal ❤️ Love, Ms. Dee Dee 364
Ella. Richardson is says
I will surely miss my friend. She was a very special lady @christmas time i will miss her pecan dreams and the talks we had rest in peace Bernice. To her children’s hang in there she is walking around heaven. With a smile
Denise Freeman says
To the Bronaugh family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep your cherished memories of her close to your heart. Only God can guide you through this difficult time. Trust him. May God bless you all.
Demetrius Powell says
So sorry for your loss of your Mothers TIHE Darren I hope that God. Give you the srm
Strength to endure such a time difficult as this
Reverend David R. Green says
To be absent from the body allows us to be present with the Lord. Mother Bernice was one of the few people left who I have known my entire life. She set a great example of being diligent and focused doing her work for the Lord. Back in probably 2005, she was in rehab at Lincoln Village where I worked in the therapy gym at the time, I looked forward checking on her daily. God often graces us with certain people to cross our path in life. Even when I moved from Wayman to another church, we stayed in touch. Mother Bernice and Daddy Arthur were people who were a constant in my life at Wayman, people you knew you could trust. Debbie, Tighe, Darren, she left you a beautiful legacy to cherish. your family will always have my love because you are an extension of your parents. No matter what we go through there is still hope in God. I lift you up to God.