Bernice ‘Bee’ Berish

Bee was born in Schaffer, Mich., on July 13, 1925, daughter of Stanley and Mary (Olszowski) Hojnacki. She was raised in Schaffer and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1943.

On Aug. 4, 1945, Bee married John Berish at Sacred Heart Church in Schaffer.

She worked at Mongomery Ward and then for 25 years at Manning Shoes in downtown Escanaba.

Bee was a member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish. She was proud to be known as the last living charter member of the Eagles Auxiliary.

Bee loved gardening, playing cards, going to the casino, traveling and knitting. Most of all she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Among survivors are her children, Jim (Mimi) Berish of Mukwonago, Wis., and Kathy (Dick) Puddy of Escanaba; grandchildren, Philip (Mary) Berish, Stephanie (Chuck) Kalenowski, Nikki Puddy and Nathan (Jessica) Berish; great-grandchildren, Michael (Brandie), Patrick, Jack, Emma, Sophia and Violet Berish, and Sam, Jake and Meg Kalenowski; sister, Stella Viau; sister-in-law, Vi Hojnacki; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John; granddaughter, Susan E. Berish; siblings, Sophia (Tom) Allen, Adola (Jerry) Brown, Walter Hojnacki; and brother-in-law, Raymond Viau.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The Eagles Auxiliary memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church with Rev. Eric Olson officiating.

Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family for a memorial to be set up at a later date.

Special thanks to Sharon, Parma and Char for their years of friendship and love and to Linda, Bob and Justin, “The Neighborhood Watch” group.

Online condolences may be sent to crawfordfuneralhomes.net The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Berish family.