Edyth L. Bercini

Edyth Bercini, loving sister, mother and grandmother passed away on Sunday, April 13 at the age of 90.  The daughter of Gustav and Edyth Lydia Gross, Edyth was born and raised in Dowagiac.  Edyth was proceeded in death by her husband of 66 years, Joseph (Joe) Bercini and her brother Oscar Gustav Gross.  She is survived by her sister Lenora (George) Gulbranson of Niles, daughter Susan Kulesza of Euless, TX and son John (Rebecca) of Hinsdale, IL.  She cherished her grand children Kelly Wahlen, Kevin Kulesza and Dr. Krista Kulesza and great grand children Joshua, Kari and Logan as well as two very special nieces, Pat Valenti and Pamela Peacock.  Edyth started her business career at the Dowagiac Dairy (where she was introduced to Joe) and was later recruited to join the Dowagiac National Bank in 1944.  Throughout the various name changes, Edyth continued to be a mainstay in the bank, retiring in 1986 as the branch manager’s assistant. Throughout her life Edyth enjoyed the local fruits and vegetables of Southwest Michigan and spent the summer and early fall making jams and canning fruits and vegetables to enjoy throughout the winter months.  Her family loved her strawberry jam and many a jar of frozen jam made the trip to her daughter’s home in Texas.  She was equally famous for her pies but no one ever passed up an opportunity to join her dinner table for a great home cooked meal.  Edyth and Joe had the biggest garden in the neighborhood and she especially enjoyed raising flowers.  Edyth loved reading novels and came home from the library every Saturday with a bag full of books and served on the library board for many years.  The family will gather with friends on Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center Street in Dowagiac. A funeral service will follow visitation at 4 p.m. with Pastor Carl L. Bassett of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Niles with private family committal service at Riverside Cemetery on Friday.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Rd., Cassopolis, MI., 49031.  Please sign Edyth’s guestbook and leave a memory of Edyth at www. clarkch.com.