Bernadine "Bunny" C. (Kehoe) McClernon, 91, Springfield, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2015 in Missouri Veterans Home, Mt. Vernon, MO. She was born July 8, 1924 in Indianapolis, IN, to Irene (Mangan) and Raymond Kehoe. The family soon moved to Minnesota where she grew up with her sister Mary Eileen (Kehoe) Bowser widowed to Mel Bowser. Bunny played basketball while attending St. Joseph Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even though she would leave home to join the military, she always missed and often recounted her fond memories of growing up in the North Woods. Like many of her greatest generation patriots, she joined the Navy and became a WAVE at the age of 21 to serve from 1944-1946 during World War II. She attained the rank of Specialist Second Class Yeoman while in the Navy. She often spoke of her time served as one of the best times of her life. This experience had much impact and changed the course of her life many ways. She was a member of the Fleet Reserve. Bunny made many lifelong friends that she referred to as "bunkmates". She also met her husband of 69 years, Hugh E. McClernon of Springfield, at a Valentine's Day dance, USO. This union produced three daughters, Mary "Peggy" M. (McClernon) and husband Ronald L. Anderson; Elizabeth A. (McClernon) and husband James McKenna; and Patricia J. McClernon. She was also a beloved grandmother to Cassandra L. (Anderson) and husband Josh Clark, April D. Anderson, Ryan H. Gann and fiancé Becky Gerken; and great-grandmother to Robby H. Gann, Adora McGlaughlin, Savannah, McKenna, and Gracie Layne Johnson (children of Zack and Nikki Johnson), William Clark and Stevie Bellaw. In addition to being a wonderful aunt, cousin and godmother to Judy (Hopkins). Besides being a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and homemaker, she was a devout Catholic. Bunny was a parishioner of St. Agnes Cathedral for over 50 years, her entire time here in Springfield. Being a social bug, she was active in her church and in many clubs including Grandma's Club, Catholic Women's group, etc. She was always on the go and a volunteer. Her heart was a big as the smile she always wore, spreading positivity. She never met a stranger and was never at a loss for words or quips-a particular favorite- "Holy Cats!". Speaking of cats, her love of people also translated to a love of all animals, often praying to St. Francis on their behalf. Funeral mass will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2015 in St. Agnes Cathedral under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial with full military honors will be held in Springfield National Cemetery. A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society, 3161 West Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803.
