Bernadine Ridlen, 81, died Thursday December 9, 2004 at Cotillion Ridge Nursing Center, Robinson, Illinois. Bernadine was born on April 15, 1923 in and was the daughter of William & Flora (McGovern) Manning. On May 29, 1947 Bernadine married Harold R. "Red" Ridlen and he preceded her in death on January 1, 1994. She was employed with the Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company in Oblong as an operator, then as a cook for the Crawford County Nutrition Center. Bernadine was a member of the Oblong Evangelical United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 219 Auxiliary, where she was one of the leaders of the Auxiliary Dinners for many years.
Bernadine is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law Don Manning and Dick & Roberta "Bert" Ridlen; seven grandchildren Madonna & Roger Groves, Brenda & Wally Hagler, Donnie & Susie Manning, Lanee Pollard, Etta & Roy Fletcher, Tawnya & Kyle Bailey and Brian & Kendra Ridlen; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; several nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law Scharlene Manning and Isabel Clark.
Preceding Bernadine in death are her parents, husband, four brothers Joe, Fred, Elmer, John & Ray Manning; and three sisters Florence Newlin, Goldie Miller and Lucille Manning.
Burial will be in the Mound Cemetery, Rural Jasper County, Illinois