Obituary of Florence Elizabeth Bernhardt

Florence E. Bernhardt, age 99, passed away on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Elizabeth House Hospice, Flat Rock, NC. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, she lived in Roselle and Linden, and later Watchung for 25 years prior to relocating to Hendersonville, NC 34 years ago. Following graduation from Battin HS in Elizabeth, she graduated from Coleman Business College and for many years worked as a secretary for various firms, including Summit Trust in Summit; she retired from Lockheed Martin in Watchung. Mrs. Bernhardt was a member of Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung. She was also a long-standing member of the Order of the Eastern Star, associated with Emmaus Chapter #183 for 78 years. She was also a home maker who loved taking care of her family. When her children were young, the family travelled together to see all of America and Canada. Following retirement, she and her husband enjoyed cruises and visiting countless sites around the world. Mrs. Bernhardt is predeceased by her husband of 55 years in 2002, Carl H. Bernhardt; her sisters, Helen Long and Mildred Petrein, and her son-in-law, Thomas Samson. Surviving are her daughter, Karen Bernhardt Toolan; her son, Charles G. Bernhardt and his wife, Charmayne; her grandson, Luke A. Bernhardt and his wife Olga; great-grandson, Alexander Bernhardt; great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Bernhardt, and her mother Jeanne Bernhardt. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 10th from 10:30am to 11:00am at Wilson Memorial Church, 7 Valley Rd., Watchung, with services immediately following. Internment will be at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Arrangements are being made by Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung; to send condolences, please visit www.higginsfuneralhome.com.