Obituary Washington- Bernadine L. Duits, 64, passed away at 7:05 PM on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at her residence in Biloxi, MS. She was born August 2, 1944 to Clarence and Mildred (Rabel) Hickman. She married Allen Duits on August 30, 1969 in Peoria, IL. He survives. Other survivors are four daughters Donna Gillespie of Washington, IL, Deanna (Don) Witzel of Danville, IL, Nancy (Kevin) Ybarra of Biloxi, MS, and Allyn (Brandon) Schmidt of Biloxi, MS; one step-daughter Stephanie (Kevin) Donlan of Peoria; nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She also has one sister Dolores Kimzey of Phelan, CA; three brothers Clarence Hickman, Jr. of East Peoria, Warren Hickman of Pekin, and George Hickman of Peoria. She was preceded in death by her parents, twin brother, and niece. Bernadine and Allen raised their children in Washington until they relocated to Biloxi, MS in 1993. She was a member of Ann St. Mennonite Church and Our Savior's Chapel in Peoria, and most recently First Baptist Church in Biloxi, MS. She was a 1962 graduate of Peoria Central High School and a May 1990 graduate of Dale Carnegie Institute. She also had been a Washington Area Chairman for the Cystic Fibrosis and a member of the National Association of Female Executives. A service to celebrate the life of Bernadine L. Duits will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington, IL. Pastor Drew Mentzer will officiate. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2008 from 5-7 PM also at the funeral home. Memorials in Bernadine's name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Peoria Chapter.