A private graveside service for Bernie Dean Herfurth, 84, of Cullman was held for the family. She was born Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1936 to Bernie O’Neal and Vera Whaley. Bernie Dean Herfurth was called home to the Lord Dec. 31, 2020.
She was preceded in death by her father Bernie O’Neal Whaley and her mother Vera Heatherly.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Herfurth; brothers Verlon Whaley and wife Dot and Randy Heatherly and wife Debbie; sons Tim Herfurth and wife Sonja, John Herfurth and wife Karen, and Andrew Herfurth and wife, Cathy; daughter Heidi Settles; and grandchildren Haley, Rana, Hayden, Bailey and Meleah Herfurth, who remember her as Mama.
She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, where she volunteered with the Women’s Guild organizing rummage sales and sending notes of well wishes to sick or grieving church members. In her younger years, she worked as a dental hygienist, a substitute teacher, a daycare worker, and a saleswoman. In her home, she could often be found painting birds and flowers, writing poetry, sewing, playing the piano, and singing, or generously feeding the guests that so often came by to visit, whether it was a friend of 30 years or a young woman selling magazines door to door.
Dean loved the Lord and was quick to pray earnestly on behalf of her family and friends, whom she always put before herself. Her voice was gentle and encouraging and her words compassionate and kind. She was, from her soul, immeasurably and unfailingly good — no one ever left her presence heavy-hearted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church.
