Bernetta Binkele

Bernetta Binkele, 92, of Peoria, passed from this earth into the eternal glory she so longed and yearned for on Tuesday afternoon, September 1st, 2026 surrounded by her beloved family.

She was born in Oneida, Kansas on January 25, 1934 to Walter and Elsie (Grimm) Hess. She moved to Peoria at age 14 with her family. She married Robert Binkele on March 19, 1961 in Peoria. He passed on April 8, 2023 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Katherine Hoerr and brother Eugene Hess.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Max Hoerr, her sister-in-law Rhoda Hess as well as many, beloved nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces as well as great great, and even great, great, and great nephews and nieces. She was affectionately and belovedly referred to as Aunt B by her family and even many of her friends.

She graduated from Woodruff High School in Peoria and then worked for Great Central Insurance before spending a 30 year career at Caterpillar in their photography department.

There was no one quite like Aunt B. She had a heart and soul of pure gold and knew no strangers. Many were the recipients of her love, concern and generosity. She loved life, lived it fully and enthusiastically and passionately worshiped and served her God. She would often ask those she met if they knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Aunt B was a member of the Peoria Apostolic Church for over 70 years where she served as a Sunday School teacher and assisted in numerous church outreach and service capacities. She had a joyful and grateful spirit, a quick wit and always saw the world through a positive, glass half full lens. As she approached her departure from this life there were so many who came to visit and share and pray with her in the Apostolic Skylines nursing home apartment that she loved so much. In her final days she was cared for and watched over around the clock by family and friends…a testament to the love and affection felt for her by so many.