Bernice I. Cutler

Bernice Irene Cutler, 101, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 4:07 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, at Shelbyville Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Pastor Bob Turner officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shelby County Honor Guard or Saving Orphaned Animals.

Bernice was born on September 26, 1924, in Shelby County, IL, the daughter of Roy S. and Lucille (Blancett) Kimmel. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1942. She married Bunny Willard Cutler on September 4, 1943, and they were blessed with five children, Denise, Keith, Diane, Randy and Kevin. Bernice began working at Hiny’s Restaurant and Sears & Roebuck both in Shelbyville. She then worked in retail as a clerk at Cutler’s Grocery, Highland’s Index Store and Eisner’s Food Store all in Shelbyville. Bernice made so many longtime friends through her retail jobs. In her retirement, she helped Mary Corley as a caregiver and friend. Bernice was a member of the former Robinson Creek Methodist Church and a volunteer for Shelby Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Shelby County Red Cross at their blood drives. She always welcomed her children’s friends and others who visited their home for a homecooked meal and friendship. Bernice never knew a stranger, always putting others before herself.

Bernice is survived by her daughters, Denise Littrell (James) of Mt. Zion, IL and Diane Christner of Shelbyville, IL; sons, Keith Cutler (Pam) of Findlay, IL, Randy Cutler of Shelbyville, IL, and Kevin Cutler of Greenbriar, AR; 10 grandchildren, Jordan Cutler of Marion, IL, Logan Cutler (Jessica) of Greenbriar, AR, Jacob Christner (Aimee) of Shelbyville, IL, Clayton Christner (Brittney) of Shelbyville, IL, Kimberly McCreery (Ryan) of Kirkwood, MO, Christina Grant (Gary) of Findlay, IL, Emily Taylor (Chris) of Shelbyville, IL, Amber Brown (Chad) of Pana, IL, Jessica Hart Bunch (Jason) of Herrick, IL and Mike Hart (Holly Ann) of Herrick, IL; 25 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bunny on October 23, 1995; and two brothers, Edwin Kimmel and Kenneth Kimmel.