Fern Louise Manwarring Affolter, 96, of Maplewood, died peacefully in her sleep at home on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM immediately followed by a celebration of life service at 6 PM at Jay B Smith Funeral Home in Maplewood, MO. Her body is being donated to Washington University. Fern was born in Fort Worth, Texas on August 10, 1926. She graduated from Maplewood High School on June 4, 1944. She married Bill Affolter on May 8, 1948. God blessed Bill and Fern with 74 years of marriage. Bill says she was the best preacher's wife that anyone could have hoped for. She served in many capacities in every church where Bill pastored, including Mid-Cities Church at Maplewood after his retirement. Fern was a life-long Cardinals fan and listened to the games on KMOX radio. Her greatest enjoyment was showing love to family and friends by spending time with them. She is survived by her faithful husband Bill, and sons William P. Affolter, Jr (Rhonda), James E. Affolter (Lue), and daughters Kathryn J. Bennight (Mark), Tena L. Taylor (Steve), Laura A. Rankin (Allen); grandchildren Amy Brown (Brooks), David Affolter (Maggie), Christopher Affolter, Sean Bennight, Brandon Bennight (Kate), Nichole Glaser (Michael), Abigail Taylor, Daniel Rankin, Nicolas Taylor (Kate), and Paul Rankin; great-grandchildren Mariah Brown, Charley Bennight, Bradley Brown, Breck Brown, Brandon Brown, Dade Affolter, Elijah Bennight, Konrad Bennight, Maxine Affolter, Dalton Affolter, Liora Bennight, Genevieve Glaser, and Levi Taylor. She was the beloved Aunt, Great Aunt, or Miss Fern to many nieces, nephews, and friends. Fern was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Lottie Manwarring, six older siblings and their spouses, and her granddaughter Rachel Taylor. We are planning to live stream the celebration of life service. https://facebook.com/events/s/fern-affolter-celebration-of-l/843800056975135/ In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Activity Center, 540 N. 6th St., PO Box 2525 East St. Louis, IL 62201 www.cacesl.org