Bernice Mills
August 7, 1916 – May 25, 2023
Longtime Brimley resident and former Newberry resident, Bernice Mills, 106, a resident of the McKinley Manor in Sault Ste. Marie, died Thursday evening, May 25, 2023 at the White-Wiles Home in Rudyard, Michigan. Bernice was born August 7, 1916 in Vanderbilt, Michigan to parents, the late John and Bertha (Chatlin) Weaver.
At a young age, Bernice moved to the Raco area. On November 5, 1932, Bernice married Melvin Mills in Brimley, Michigan and, for many years, the couple operated a small dairy farm.
Bernice completed the eighth grade before marrying and raising her family. Her desire to better her education and career led her to go back to school and achieve her high school diploma from Brimley High School in 1957. She was later beloved and employed by Brimley Area Schools as secretary until her retirement in 1974.
Following her retirement, Bernice enjoyed travelling with her husband Melvin, wintering in Lake Placid, Florida. She also enjoyed polka and ballroom dancing with Melvin. There were often times when people would leave the floor to watch them dance.
Bernice enjoyed many card games which some of her favorites where bridge, euchre and cribbage, which she played regularly with family and friends. Bernice enjoyed cooking, baking and always had a bountiful garden. Later in life, she discovered a love for golf.
Bernice was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newberry, member of the Newberry Country Club and a volunteer/mentor of the Tahquamenon Area Schools reading program.
Bernice was the nucleus of five generations of family and loved the stories and get-togethers as her family grew. Bernice was in her glory when surrounded by her family’s laughter and music.
Bernice was preceded in death by her loving husband Melvin; her daughters-in-law Gayle Mills of Newberry and Virginia Mills of Strongs; great-granddaughter Rachel Mills of Strongs; her brothers Jim and Howard and sisters Eleanor, Marion, May, Shirley and Delores.
Survivors include Bernice’s sons James Mills of Newberry and David Mills of Strongs; 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Thursday June 1, 2023 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with the service to follow at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Newberry with Pastors Melinda VanderSys and Nancy Barkat officiating. Interment will take place at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Raco.
Memorials to celebrate the life of Bernice Mills may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 443, Newberry, Michigan 49868 or to the Superior Health Support Systems, 2956 Ashmun Street, Suite 139, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting with arrangements.
Rudolph G. Kleeman
May 19, 1928 – May 27, 2023
Lifetime resident Rudolph “Rudy” Gustav Kleeman, 95, of Engadine, went to the Lord on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at his home.
Rudy was born May 19, 1928 in Engadine to Ludwig and Wilheimina (Dege) Kleeman, and attended Engadine Schools. He married the former Viola Cecilia Revord on November 6, 1948 in Newberry. Rudy worked at multiple jobs and then took a job as a custodian for Engadine Consolidated Schools, retiring after 30 years of service.
Rudy was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Engadine and then, after it closed, St Stephen’s Catholic Church of Naubinway. He was a member of the Lions Club. Rudy loved to play Cribbage and taught his children and most of his Grandchildren to play. Rudy was the consummate handyman who could fix almost anything and often did. His collection of salvage parts filled his garage and he actually knew where everything was at. He loved vegetable and flower gardening, and his apple pies were family favorites. He enjoyed hunting, metal scraping and working in his shop, building among other things, countless Bluebird houses which he sold from a stand in his front yard. Mostly though he loved being with family and friends.
Rudy was preceded in death by his Parents, his wife of 58 years, Viola (Revord) Kleeman, son in law, Donald Downing, and his siblings Matilda Lehman, Reinhart Kleeman, Appolonia (Lona) Shultz, Paul Kleeman, and Greta Kleeman (died after 9 months of whooping cough).
He is survived by his five children, Cassandra (James) Legault of Horton, Rudolph (Tina) Kleeman of AuTrain, Dennis (Pam) Kleeman of Manistique, Diane Downing of Thompson and Barb Lesatz of Kalamazoo, sister in law, Doreen Kleeman, of Traverse City. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 16 step-great grandchildren, 9 great great-grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will take place on Monday, June 5, 2023 from 10am until noon, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at noon at St Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway with Fr. Phil Witkowski officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at the Engadine Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Rudy’s name may be made to the West Mackinac County Food Pantry, Melville Street, Engadine, MI 49827. Fausett Family Funeral Home of Manistique is assisting the family with the arrangements, Condolences may be expressed at www.fausettfh.com.
Karen Ann Giddis
October 4, 1953 – May 20, 2023
Karen Ann Giddis of Rives Township, formerly of Hulbert, passed away May 20, 2023 surrounded by family members. She is survived by her daughter Shannon of Rives Township; son Rob (Keri) of Rives Township; four grandsons: Reegan, Maquade, Easton and Dakota; sisters Janet, Ellen and Nancy; brother George.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rob Giddis Sr. of Rives Township and parents Helen and George Planck of Hulbert.
Karen enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening. Her greatest joys were her grandsons Reegan, Maquade, Easton and Dakota and her dog Mya.
