Mary Bercel

Mary Bercel 91, of Brockway Twp. (Yale), went home to God on April 15,2008, at her son and daughter-in-law’s home in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Mary was born April 11,1917, in Detroit, the daughter of Matthew and Rosalia Iwaniec. Mary completed eight years at Transfiguration Polish-Catholic School, Detroit, where she was a spelling bee champion. Mary and John Bercel were married April 24,1934 at Transfiguration Church and celebrated 63 years of marriage until John passed away June 27,1997. Mary and John, along with their sons, were the founders of the family business, Bercel Garage Builders, Sterling Heights, and worked side by side until their retirement in 1996. Mary and John loved dancing and playing pinochle, poker, and blackjack all of their lives. Mary was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Yale, for the past 32 years and member of the St. Mary's Guild. Mary spent her winters in Fountain Hills, AZ, with her son Jack and family and made many friends there. Mary, more than anything, loved spending time with her family. She is the dear mother of four surviving sons and daughters-in-law, John and Roseanna, Fountain Hills, AZ, Lawrence and Marilyn, Sterling Hts., Michael and Margaret, Algonac, Thomas and Yvonne, Mt. Clemens, daughter, Mary and James Smith, Yale, daughter-in-law, Sharon Shildt, St. Clair; Grandma to twenty-two grandchildren, and thirty-nine great-grandchildren; sister of Stella Fortuna, Warren, and Frances Murawa, Plymouth, dear friends, Bertie Kloka and Lillian Bayley, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Robert Bercel and sisters, Helen Avramovich, Rose Cichowski, Bernice Spond, and Emily Delbeke. Her family honors the memory of Mary and invites you to visit and share Friday April 25 from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Richmond. Rite of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yale. Fr. Paul Craznota, pastor, will officiate. Scripture services will be 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yale. Memorials are suggested to Masses or Wishes of the Family For information and Guest Book kaatzfunerals.com

Mary Bercel

April 11, 1917 - April 15, 2008