Bernice Dorothy Hengesbach

       Bernice Dorothy Hengesbach, age 88, of Fowler, MI, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Regency of Lansing West, Lansing, MI.
       A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI, at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, November 21, 2024, with Rev. Fr. John Whitlock presiding. Burial will take place at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery at a later date, Fowler, MI. Visitation will be held 3:30 - 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 20, 202,4 at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel, Fowler, MI with a Rosary Service prayed at 3:30 P.M.
      Bernice was born in Fowler, Michigan on August 17, 1936, the daughter of Arnold John and Anna C. (Bengal) Spitzley. In Heaven she is reunited with her husband, Bernard William Hengesbach, who passed March 24, 2024. On April 19, 1958 they were married at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They had a faithful marriage of 66 years and raised their children across from Bernice's family homestead.
      Bernice's life was filled with family, faith, and friends. She devoted her entire life to loving and taking care of her family. Bernice loved her collection of cactuses, playing cards, bingo, polkas and country music, making afghans, puzzles, camping, and family trips to Barothy Lodge and Devil's Lake.
       Those remaining to cherish her memory are her children: Cindy (Lon), Shirley (Bill), Cliff (Mary), Doug (Tina), Christine (Kris), and Jacque (Wes); twenty grandchildren: Courtney, Nathan, Jared, Loni, Jill, Melissa, Jodie, Nick, Calie, Melinda, Nicole, Blake, Emily, Milli, Taylor, Dustin, Cody, Brody, Marra, and Delaney; nineteen great-grandchildren: Quentin, Isaac, Vivian, Will, Caleb, Owen, Olivia, Jordyn, Natalie, Riley, Emma, Makayla, Kaiden, Steele, Lexie, Madison, Reagan, Landon, and Everett; three great-great-grandchildren; brother Jerome (Juanita) Spitzley, sisters: Wilma Hengesbach, and Arlene McCausey. In addition to her husband Bernard, she was preceded in death by her grandson Eric Houghtalin, brothers: Norman (Helen) Spitzley, and Ronald (Julia) Spitzley; and brothers-in-law: Albert Hengesbach, Wayne McCausey, and Alfred (Marie) Hengesbach.
        The family would like to extend a thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice and Regency at Lansing West for the wonderful care they provided to Bernice.
        Memorials may be made to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church or Heart to Heart Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.