Obituary of Joetta Bernhard

In Loving Memory of

Joetta Ann Bidzila

November 26, 1941 – August 28, 2023

Joetta Ann Bidzila passed away peacefully on August 28, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Elizabeth Hospital.  Joetta was born on November 26, 1941, in Monongahela, PA. 

She attended Grove City College, Grove City, PA where Joetta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Teaching of General Business Studies.  After she graduated from college, Joetta began her teaching career at a high school in Trenton, NJ.  A few years later Joetta decided to enroll in the United States Air Force and on September 02, 1970, she attended Officer Training School at the Lackland Military Training Center in Texas as a Second Lieutenant.  After being stationed in Thailand and California she was assigned to Griffiss Airforce base where she stayed up until her retirement from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel.  Joetta continued to work as a civilian at Griffiss for many years after her retirement from the service.

Joetta met her loving husband Joe Bernhard who was a lifelong resident of Rome.  They were happily married for many, many years up until his death. Joetta enjoyed travelling, knitting, making, and designing jewelry.  Her greatest joy was her Schnauzer ‘Mae’ and those that preceded her (Sissy, Little Sis and Little).

Joetta was predeceased by her husband Joseph Bernhard; her parents John Bidzila and Ann Martin Bidzila; her half-brother Elmer Sidell Martin and her sister-in-law Margie Martin.

Joetta leaves the people she deeply loved, her nephew Barry Lynn Martin and his spouse Peggy Sue (Butters) Martin of Titusville, FL.  Her niece Valen Tina (Martin) Straub and her spouse Lynn Leo Straub of Kempton, PA.

Great nieces:  Rebecca Ann (Martin) Cast and her spouse Verlas Keith Cast of Victorville, CA.  Jessica Marie (Martin) Fite of Simi Valley, CA.  Lindsey Michelle Straub of Allentown, PA.

Great nephew:  Jeremy Martin Straub and his spouse Heather (Fryzol) Straub of Lenhartsville, PA.

Great great niece:  Alexandra Leah Straub of Shoemakersville, PA

Great great nephews:  Verlas Kody Cast of Victorville, CA.  Conner Anthony Fite and Sean Conrad Fite of Lancaster, CA.  Greysen Leo Straub of Shoemakersville, PA.

Joetta was very blessed to have many friends and especially Glenda Guerrieri who was not only her home health care provider for many years, but she was also a wonderful, compassionate, caring friend who asked for nothing in return. 

Memorial Contributions may be the Humane Society of Rome  6247 Lamphear Rd, Rome, NY 13440.

A celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday September 5, 2023, at 7 P.M. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5-7 P.M. prior to the service. Interment Evergreen Cemetery.