Roma Bernice Tyler

Roma Bernice Tyler, 74, formerly of Chicago and California, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 7:45 A.M. at her sisters home. She was born September 7, 1933 in Pittsburg the daughter of Harold and Betty Estelle (Mifflin) Tyler. She was a member of the Pittsburg Missionary Baptist Church and accepted the Lord at an early age. She graduated from Marion High School, class of 1951 and moved to Cherokee, Iowa where she earned her LPN license. She then moved to Chicago, working at Edgewater Hospital and performing private duty nursing on Lake Shore Drive until she injured her back. She made a career change to bookkeeping and traveled extensively out West and lived in California for 14 years working for the Pepsi-Cola Company in Tarzana. She met Joan Crawford while working there. While living in California she pursued her interest in animals by starting a domestic rabbitry, The Rusty Nail, breeding and winning many blue ribbons with her champions. She moved to Chicago and retired from Nightingale Conant. When she retired to Marion, she once again pursued her hobby with more than 100 mostly white satin rabbits. She worked as a school bus driver for Unit 2 for several years. She was a member of the Illinois Rabbit Breeders Association. Roma was a woman of many interests. She groomed dogs for a time, worked in an art gallery in California, learning much about painting. She had done some artwork herself in her younger years and in school. Roma also loved to read. In her later years she volunteered with the Perry County, Jackson County and Marion Animal No Kill shelters, transporting animals for adoption, her beloved beagle, Roy, was her companion on these many trips. Romas niece, Debbie, who is autistic and developmentally disabled, attends FWHS workshop in West Frankfort and Roma lovingly baked 12 dozen Christmas cookies for their holiday party for several years. They enjoyed a special bond and Debbie loved visiting her Aunt Roma. Survivors include her sister & brother-in-law, Karen & John Copeland of Marion, Niece Debbie Copeland of Marion, Uncle Walter & Betty Mifflin of Boise, ID, Aunt Mary Springhart of Russellville, AL, Aunt Veronica Mifflin of Godfrey, IL and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Pansy Tyler. She leaves behind many loving family members and friends. She will be sadly missed by all. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at Odd Fellows Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Johnson officiating. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home is handling memorial arrangements. Memorial donations are suggested to the Marion Regional Humane Society, Alzheimers Association or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959