Published on September 16, 2026 6:32 am
Last Updated on September 16, 2026 10:53 am
Marcella Bierman, 92, of rural Dieterich passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Helia Health Care Center in Effingham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Island Grove, with burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Dieterich. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2026 at St. Joseph Hall, Island Grove. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Cemetery Fund, Meals on Wheels of Dieterich, or to the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham.
Marcella was born January 16, 1934 in Effingham County, the daughter of Louis and Marie (Hardiek) Haarman. She married Arthur “Jim” Bierman on April 19, 1952, and he preceded her in death in 2009. Marcella was a lifetime member of St. Isidore Parish, Dieterich, and Immaculate Conception Ladies Sodality. She was also a lifetime homemaker on the family farm. Marcella was employed early in life at Fedders Corporation, and the job she loved dearly was when she worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Recently, Marcella enjoyed spending time playing cards and dominoes with friends, and doing puzzles. She was one of the hardest working women anyone would meet, and was devoted to caring for her family above all else, doing things like spending time sewing for her kids while they were in school. Marcella was also an incredibly talented gardener, and was even known to can 150 quarts of pickles every year!
She is survived by her sons, Steven of Effingham, and Keith (Susan) of Dieterich; daughters, Sandra (Tom) Laue of Shumway, Karen (John) Neu of Effingham, Lori Westendorf of Wheeler and Janice (Ken) Campton of Wheeler; daughters-in-law, Cindy Bierman of Raymond and Sandy Bierman of Dieterich; 20 grandchildren; and 54 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn (Ed) Smithenry, Linda Streich, and Diana (Richard) Worman; sister-in-law, Wanda Haarman; and brother-in-law, Mike Smithenry.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur “Jim” Bierman; her parents, Louis and Marie Haarman; sons, Clifford and Greg; son-in-law, Clete Westendorf; grandchildren, Jacob Laue and Krystal Neu; great-grandchild, Eli Vonderheide; brothers, Leroy Haarman, David Haarman, and Bobby Haarman; sisters, Deloris Bergfeld, Betty Smithenry, Evelyn Haarman, and Irene Haarman; and brother-in-law, Bernie Bergfeld.