Geraldine Louise Sermersheim, 99, of Princeton, passed away on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at Good Samaritan Home in Oakland City.

She was born June 22, 1912 in Carbon, Ind., to Giles and Lena Jane (Lines) Hillis.

Geri started the first cafeteria at Francisco School and worked as a clerk for Parkers Drugstore in Winslow. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Princeton for 78 years, where she taught Sunday School, helped with vacation Bible school, and was a member of the General Mission Circle (for which she made hundreds of stuffed animals to be given away by missionaries overseas).

She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Gibson County Art Guild, Red Hat Society and a lifetime member of the Village Homemakers Club. She was a talented quilter and a gifted painter working in watercolors and oils.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Leo Herschell (Bernice) Sermersheim Jr of Aiea, HI; daughter-in-law, Mona Sermersheim of Oakland City; eight grandchildren, John W (Kim) Sermersheim of Maine, Herschell C. and Charles (Shari) Sermersheim all of Honolulu, Hawaii, Leolynne M. (A.J.) Escalona of Kauai, Hawaii, Henry (Beverly) Sermersheim of Plano, Texas, Cindy K. Sermersheim and Roger F. (Robin) Sermersheim all of Oakland City, and Stephanie L. (Bob) Stoneberger of St. Francisville, Ill.; 14 great grandchildren, Jessica Welsh, Amanda Sermersheim, Ellie, Jason and Meagan Sermersheim, Rafael Escalona, Sunshine Sermersheim, Ryan, Regan and Randa Sermersheim, Andrew Young, Steven Ellis, and Amanda and Nicole Stoneberger; four great-great grandchildren, Leilani and Violet Welsh, Pono Sermersheim and Elijah Sermersheim; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo Herschell Sermersheim Sr. in 1979 (after 46 years of marriage); son, Giles Frederick Sermersheim on Jan. 19, 2012; and brothers, Woodrow Hillis and Giles Hillis Jr.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Petersburg, officiated by Pastor George Prinzing. Burial will follow.

There will be no visitation. Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements.