With a nod to the faith, example, and mission of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and all who continue it, the John Bearce family of Washington has pledged $1 million to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center’s new Milestone Building, now under construction.

The $280 million Milestone Project is a year away from completion. The new eight-story, 440,000-square-foot building will be home to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois and an expanded adult and pediatric emergency department.

John and Nancy Bearce, active members of St. Patrick’s Parish in Washington, along with their daughters, Suzie Pschirrer, Jodi Bearce Mello and Amy Bearce, are longtime supporters of OSF and Children’s Hospital.

Because the money pledged would otherwise have been left to the daughters, the Bearces talked it over with them to see what they thought. “They fully support it,” said Bearce.

The names of the Bearces and their daughters will be recognized in the pediatric surgery waiting area located on the second floor of the Milestone Building, which is slated to open next summer.

Bearce, a well-known central Illinois auto dealer, said it was the faith and example of Sister Canisia Gerlach, OSF, that first attracted him and his family to the medical mission of the East Peoria-based Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.

“I met Sister Canisia a number of years ago. When you’re around her, you’ll see she’s a Mother Teresa type. There’s kind of an aura about her,” John Bearce told The Catholic Post.

Bearce said he was especially moved by Sister Canisia’s commitment to make sure all who came to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center would receive treatment regardless of their ability to pay.

One of the reasons for supporting the Milestone Project, Bearce explained, was a desire to do as much good for as many people as possible.

“I know that with the stewardship of the Sisters, they’re going to make every dime of that million dollars count,” Bearce said, adding, “I’ll never have a better return on my investment.”