Mary Bernath

Mary Lucinda Bernath age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.  Mary survived cancer 27 years ago.  She battled dementia the last 5 years.

Mary was born in St. Johns, MI on August 17, 1927 the daughter of Ross and Anna (Vorhee) Cornell.  She returned to school in her 50's and received her High School Diploma from Ovid-Elsie same year as her youngest son in 1980.  Mary married Frank J. Bernath on January 17, 1948 at St. Cyril's Church in Bannister, MI. They resided in Elsie for 69 years, just recently moving to St. Johns.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, spending time at their cabin at Houghton Lake always stopping in Mt. Pleasant to share her wealth with the Chippewa Indian Tribe, playing Bingo, baking for her family and friends, and sewing many beautiful quilts; giving many away and donating many more to charities for fund raisers.  She also enjoyed going to and having garage sales.  She was employed by Universal Electric for a few years, but the majority of her working life she was the Head Cook at E.E. Knight Elementary School for 30 plus years. Taking government issued food and turning it into delicious meals for generations of children.  Her cookies and baked goods were always requested by the children and teachers.  But the true joy of her life was being surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 69 years Frank Bernath of St. Johns, MI, 5 sons; Jerry and Helen Bernath of Portland, MI, Terry and Phylis Bernath of Lansing, MI, Larry and Paula Bernath of St. Johns, MI, Garry and Sid Bernath of Elsie, MI, Barry and Martha Bernath of St. Johns, MI, daughter Sherry Allen of Speedway, IN, 12 grandchildren; Katrina Schneider, Eric Bernath, Scott Bernath, Kelly Paxton, Kristi Blogref, Ryan Bernath, Abbey Bernath, Brandon Bernath, Michael Bernath, Matthew Bernath, Ashley Szado and Rachel Bernath, 10 great-grandchildren; Brett, Allan, and Zachary Schneider, Owen and Chase Paxton, Franklin, Fitzgerald, and Eloise Bernath, Kendall Peterson, Logan Witt and her 11th great-grandchild Caleb Blogref due to be born in July.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Tammy Witt, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

The family would like to give their sincere appreciation and thanks to her caregivers from Gentle Hands Loving Hearts Janie Smith, Julie Shepard and Sandy Davies.  Also many skilled nurses from Great Lakes Hospice for the care they provided for Mary and the comforting words from Father Ed and Father Mike.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 with Rev. Fr. Bill Gruden officiating.  Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes-Osgood Chapel, St. Johns.  A Wake Service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. and a Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, or E.E. Knight Elementary School, Elsie.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.