Catherine Bernice “Bernie” Church

Catherine Bernice “Bernie” Church, age 94 of Byron Center, embraced her Lord on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Bernie was a devout Christian and Roman Catholic, often expressing “the Catholic Church is the true Church of God.” Bernie prayed to her Lord every morning and evening while reciting the Rosary throughout the day, often while driving her car. She was born on March 6, 1925 in Byron Township to Ethel (Pitsch) and Theodore Homrich. Ethel and Theodore brought forth seven daughters; Bernie was the third of the seven. Preceding her were her parents, sisters, Crystal, Lorraine, and Marcella, as well as her husbands, Arthur E. Anderson (7-3-1948 to 7-2-1983) and Carlton L Church (1-13-2006 to 9-12-2017). Sadly, three of Bernie’s grandchildren passed on before her: Jennifer, Gregory, and Mallory Mathews. Her surviving relatives and friends are plentiful, from immediate to extended. Celebrating Bernie’s life are her daughter, Cheryl (John) Mroz; son, James Anderson; grandchildren, Zach Mathews, Josh Mathews; great grandchildren, Krista, Jordyn, Tyler, Shae; siblings, Viola, Donna, Leora; many nieces and nephews; step children, Karen (Mark) Bergeron, Connie (Thad) Nowack, Teresa (Mike) Stuckey, Brad (Trisha) Church; many step grandchildren. Bernie enjoyed finery, culture, and traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, establishing new friends while preserving past friends. She played cards and board games, appreciating the time and conversations with loved ones. Her passions were dancing, music, reading, golfing, and volunteering time to the fine arts. In recognition of Bernie’s Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Fine Arts, the State of Michigan presented a certificate to her. After graduating from Byron Center High School, Bernie moved to Grand Rapids. She secured a job with Addressograph-Multigraph, obtaining the position of Office Manager. When married to Art and raising two children, she accepted a job with Holy Name School as secretary. She retired from that position after 26 years. But there was more for Bernie; she became a salesperson at Farrow’s Jewelers for eleven years. Bernie finally retired from the labor market in 1996, and enjoyed leisure and travel with Carl for eleven more years. She cooked, baked, and canned; however, she was unwilling to milk a cow or feed chickens. Bernie was not only the child of farmers, a homemaker, a professional, a wife, a mother, and a wonderful friend, she was also a God-fearing human being seeking perfection in our Lord’s eyes. Knowing Bernie, you believe she is perfect in our Lord’s eyes, and the Holy Trinity is with her on this day. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 17 2019 at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, with Rev. John Vallier presiding.  Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 4 - 8 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 pm on Sunday evening. The family wishes to thank her family, friends, the staff at Byron Center Manor, and Spectrum Butterworth for their care and concern for Bernie’s well-being during her advanced years of life. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. John Vianney Building Fund.