Bernadine Frances Vineyard

Bernadine Frances Springob Vineyard passed away on November 21, 2014. Bernadine was born on July 25, 1918 in Wichita, Kansas. She was the ninth of eleven children born to the late Peter John and Susan Jansen Springob. In 1937 she moved with her parents and 2 younger sisters to Donna, Texas. It was here that she met George Cleo Vineyard, a young area farmer. They were married in 1939, bought property north of Donna and began their long partnership of farming and raising their five children. Bernie was active in Girl Scouts as a troop leader for many years and as the summer day camp director. She and Cleo also served on the Tip of Texas Girl Scout Council. Bernie was a member of the Weslaco Elks Auxiliary heading several committees to help further the mission of the Weslaco Elks Lodge. After 52 years the couple downsized to Victoria Palms and later to Camelot in Harlingen. Never one to stay idle, Bernie delighted in baking cookies for family and friends, sewing elaborate Christmas stockings for her great-grandchildren, and taking part in a pro football betting pool which she won most weeks. Cleo, her beloved husband of 65 years, died in 2004. She was also preceded in death by 9 of her siblings and their spouses. She is survived by her daughters Linda Thomas of Grand Prairie, Elizabeth (Don) Whitson of Sharyland, Virginia Vineyard of San Benito, Susan (Mark) Fisher of Atlanta, GA., and by her son Steve (Jessie) Vineyard of Laguna Vista. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Alison McCullough, Jeff (Yolanda) Thomas, Angela Knowles all of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Frances Davis of Cypress, Dana Deason of Beaver Creek, CO., and Neil Rose of San Benito. She will also be greatly missed by her 8 great-grandchildren, Sean McCullough, Geoffrey and Katie Thomas, Amanda and Lauren Knowles of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and Kara, Emily and Heather Davis of Cypress. Bernie’s beloved youngest sister, Elizabeth Snell of Corpus Christi survives her as do many, many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for the excellent end of life care they provided. A very special thanks goes to Ruby and Paul Navarette in whose home Bernie lived, receiving excellent care and love during the last months of her life. On Monday at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, visitation will begin at 5:00 PM followed by the rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Donna, TX, with interment to follow at Val Verde Cemetery.