She was born on March 16, 1917 in Douglas County Bertha Mae Uhlmann was born on March 16, 1917 in Douglas County, Missouri to James Oliver and Mary May (Griffiths) Coats, and completed her journey on Sunday morning, June 29, 2008 in Ravenwood Assisted Living in Springfield, Missouri. She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 91 years.
Bertha grew up in Douglas and Wright counties and graduated from Mtn. Grove High School in 1935, and then attended Southwest Missouri Teacher’s College in Springfield. She was united in marriage to William Robert Uhlmann on Aug. 11, 1940. One daughter was born to this union. They made their home in the Gentryville area for many years and later moved to Springfield, to be near their daughter and family.
Robert passed away on Aug. 2, 1992.
Bertha enjoyed being a homemaker, wife and mother. She loved visits with her family and friends. She had a special way of bringing joy to any gathering.
She attended the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mtn. Grove and after moving to Springfield, she attended the Seminole Baptist Temple as long as her health permitted.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters: Elmer Coats, Mable Penner, Stella Souder, Ola Hutcheson, Noble Coats and Norman Coats.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Rick Benda, and one grandson, Cory Benda, all of Springfield; one sister, Mildred Parker of Bellingham, Wash.; and Robert’s sister, Marie Bailey and husband, John, of Nashville, Tenn.
Bertha will be missed by her large family, beloved nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and by her church family.
The family especially thanks the staff of Oxford Hospice and Ravenwood Assisted Living for their kindness.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers contributions to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital c/o the funeral home.
Online condolences to www.craighurttfuneralhome.com
A celebration of Bertha’s life was held on Wednesday, July 2, at 10 a.m., in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Melvin Brown officiating. Betty Salmon sang “How Great Thou Art,” “Precious Memories,” “In The Garden,” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Pallbearers were Rick Benda, Cory Benda, Jon Nuckolls, Wayne Coats, Bart Hutcheson, Brad Searle, Souder Tate, and Kirk Penner. Honorary pallbearers were Madison Searle, Chris Penner, Kenneth Coats, Woodfin Garrett, Tim Callahan, David Garrett, Donn Searle, Kevin Coats and Kirby Coats. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
