Elgie Berniece Avery

Elgie Berniece Avery, 85, Burlington, passed away at 1:10 am on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. She was born on October 14, 1939, daughter of the late Eugene and Beulah (Buntin) Barnard. On October 19, 1957, she married Thomas James Avery in Russiaville, IN and he survives.

Elgie graduated from Cutler High School. She was a homemaker and caregiver for her granddaughters growing up. Elgie was a member of the Classie Lassies Homemakers Club.

Along with her husband, Thomas, she is survived by her daughter, Melinda (Rodney) Wilson; granddaughters, Shelby (Nick) Seager and Jenna (Brandon) Bowlus; great-grandchildren, Mallory Seager, Wes Seager, and Grayson Bowlus; brothers, William “Bill” Barnard, Charlie (Sharon) Barnard, Jim Barnard, and Dan (Linda) Barnard; brother-in-law, Ed Spraker; and several nieces and nephews.

Elgie was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Beaulah Barnard; son, Kevin Avery; daughter, Melanie Avery; great-grandson, Parker Bowlus; sister, Dorothy Spraker; and sisters-in-law, Karen Barnard and Debi Barnard.

A memorial service celebrating Elgie’s life will be held at 12 pm, Saturday October 25, 2025, at Stout & Son Funeral Home – Neptune Chapel, 44 Michigan St, Burlington, IN 46915 with Pastor Mike Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Middlefork Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

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