Bernice Begeman

BEGEMAN, Bernice
Of Kalamazoo Bernice, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at her home. She was born April 19, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Frank and Mary Boss Sikorskas, but spent most of her childhood on the family farm in Allegan,, MI. In 1941, she was united in marriage to Keith Begeman . After her son, Rod, was in high school, Bernice was employed as a buyer in the linen department of Gilmore Brothers Department Store where she worked for over 20 years until her retirement in 1985. She was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and served on various committees, worked in the thrift shop and hosted Bible studies at her home. She loved flower gardening, had an amazing "green thumb" and took pride in her excellent culinary skills. Her greatest joy in life was her granddaughter, Anne. Preceding her in death were her husband Keith in 1990, their only son, Rod B. Begeman in 1995; and her sister, Mary Petroshus on May 6th of this year. Surviving are her daughter-in-law, Joan Begeman of Gaylord; granddaughter, Anne Justin Davidhizar; sister, Helen Hitchcock of Allegan; and 6 nieces and nephews, Mary Jo Petroshus, Anita Hallas, Duane Darlene Begeman , Gary Carol Begeman, Donna Al Gackowski, and Jan Al Ketchum. Memorial services for Bernice will be at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 15, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, where friends may visit with the family from 1:00 PM until the time of services. Interment will follow in Poplar Hill Cemetery, Allegan. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Loaves and Fishes food bank, the Gospel Mission homeless shelter, or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, all of Kalamazoo.