of Conway, AR
October 1, 1929 - March 7, 2025
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, "GMA" and great-grandmother, Bernice Marie Ballheimer a resident of Conway, AR, passed away on March 7, 2025 at 95. Bernice was born to the late Walter and Johanna Jacobs on October 1, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Bernice really enjoyed life to the fullest, whether golfing, playing bingo, bridge or dominos, spending time with her friends at St. Joseph Senior Saints or cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorbacks.
She was a member of the Xi Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, where she received the Order of the Rose, was recognized as Woman of the Year three times and was honored with the Silver Circle for 25 years of membership. She also volunteered for Conway Regional Medical Center and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Bernice has been a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1973. Every Sunday morning, one could always find her in the same pew and spot. Bernice was an avid crochet artist and spent many hours as the eldest member of the Close-Knit Faith Community ministry at St. Joseph Catholic, an organization that prays, knits and crochets for various local charities.
Her greatest love in life was her late husband, Rudy, married for 62 years. After Rudy and Bernice moved from Michigan to Arkansas, one of their first projects was collecting rocks to build a beautiful home on the hill. They shared many adventures, including family reunions at Table Rock Lake, gambling at casinos and cruising to places like Alaska and Hawaii. They were also founding members of the Conway Two Steppers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Johanna Jacobs; brother, Walter "Jake" Jacobs; sister-in-law, Joan Jacobs; husband, Rudolph "Rudy" Ballheimer and granddaughter, Diana Marie Ballheimer.
Bernice is survived by her 4 children, Dan (Karen) Ballheimer, Debbie (Jimmy) Threet, Tom (Karen) Ballheimer and Mark (Robin) Ballheimer; 10 grandchildren, Tricia (Patrick) Wilson, Tara Ballheimer, Jason (Jennifer) Spears, Emily Duncan, Jennifer (Leah) Fincannon, Jennifer (Billie) Ballheimer, Justin (Brittany) Ballheimer, Daniel Brewer, Rachel Kennedy and Sarah (Steven) Posey and 19 great-grandchildren; Tucker, Max, and Elle Wilson, Kaylee, Jamie, and Avery Edwards, Emma Spears, Jayden and Adalyn Duncan, Bailey Threet, Bristin and Brinkley Ballheimer, Aaron Kennedy, Amber Brewer, Stefan, Slater and Silas Posey.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am Friday, March 14, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Mausoleum. Rosary service will be at 9:30am with visitation following at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The online guestbook can be viewed by visiting www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Jason Spears, Justin Ballheimer, Daniel Brewer, Patrick Wilson, Steven Posey and Aaron Kennedy will be pallbearers.
In place of flowers, the family requests donations in Bernice's memory be to St. Joseph Endowment, 1315 College Ave., AR 72034, St. Jude's or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
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6 Condolence(s)
Sandy and Wendell Patrick
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Wendell and I are praying for the family and extended family our sincere condolences.
Pam Rankin
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
I met the Ballheimer family not long after their move to Conway. Debbie & I started high school together & became friends. Rudy & Bernice were warm welcoming people and always sweet & kind. Prayers for the family
Bruce & Elaine Jacobs Pyle
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Aunt Bernice was our Dads sister. Our Mom and Bernice were wonderful friends and belonged to the same sorority together. We heard many stories from our Mom about their friendship and their younger life. Our family enjoyed visiting Bernice and her family back in the day and as well as them visiting us in Colorado.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Bernice’s family.
Jacqueline Kordsmeier
Monday, March 10, 2025
We were proud to have Bernice as a long-time member of the St. Joseph Senior Saints group. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. You could also count on her to be at mass every Sunday morning at 8am. I feel so privileged she was a part of my life and she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May her soul rest in peace.
Glenda Fulmer
Monday, March 10, 2025
I worked with Debbie and Jimmy at Universal Nolin and my husband and I tried to learn dancing from Rudy and Bernice. Such wonderful people! Debbie, I'm sorry for the loss of your sweet Mama.
Debra gates Gates
Monday, March 10, 2025
I had the privilege of working with Rudy at FMC, great guy, even tho I never met his wife, she had to be a wonderful woman, my youngest daughter was a good friend of Diana, my thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time, Bernice and Rudy, are together once again..