BERNICE MARIE HEDDENS nee HANTHORN

age 57, of Hammond, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2016. She was born in Hammond, attended Hammond High School and was the daughter of Bernice and Frank Hanthorn. Bernice is survived by her children: Eva M. O'Danovich, Donna J. (fiancé Stanley Feirick) Hasan, Barbara L. (Raymundo) Lopez and Charles W. Jones; nine grandchildren; siblings: Diane Hamilton, Edward Ziobrowski, Ceola (James) Collins and Matthew Hanthorn; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by husband and father of her children James W. Jones; husband Keith Heddens; siblings Patty VanPelt and Frank Hanthorn.

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, June 18, 2016 from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Solan Pruzin Funeral Home & Crematory 14 Kennedy Ave Schererville. A prayer service will be held on Saturday at 4:00 PM with Howard Koontz officiating.

Bernice was the best mom she knew how to be and was the greatest grandmother ever. For the past 12 years, I have seen a huge difference in my mom. I loved when she would go camping with us. She loved country music and I was blessed to be able to take her to her first concert as an adult. In the beginning she acted like she did not want to go but I was able to convince her to go and she loved it. I wish I could have done more with her. She had so much fun partying with everyone.
My Mom had a very hard life but that made her a stronger woman. As the years went by she became the greatest grandma ever. She took care of all her grandchildren. In retrospect my Mom took care of us all: her kids and their spouses, along with the grandkids. She was the glue that held my family together. She cooked, cleaned, did everyone's laundry and woke us all up no matter what time we needed to go. She would remind us of our appointments and kept us on track.
Mom was employed at Hessville Restaurant and was a very hard worker. She always did her best to make sure we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. My Mom never drove and in the winter would make the 5-6 mile trek on foot to work. She had a hard time expressing her love to us kids but what she went through to take care of us was proof of how much she really did love us. She did this until all of her children were no longer under her roof and care. This took a toll on her physically and eventually she could no longer keep up.

Mom went home to be with God last Sunday and is surely in a better place than any of us. I thank the Good Lord that he took her peacefully and all of her last wishes were fulfilled. I want to thank everyone that played a part in making those last wishes come true.
May the Love and Peace of God be with all of you and I ask him to bless you all!

With love and prayers, The family of Bernice