Bertha Arline (Bierhalter) Dewey, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away April 20, 2020 at Shands UF Health, Gainesville, Florida. Bertha was born in South Haven, MI to August and Donna (Maynard) Bierhalter, on July 22, 1931, the 6th of 11 children. She married Duane Dewey May 14, 1951, while he was on leave from the Marines, prior to being sent to Korea.
In 1973, after living in South Haven, Michigan for several years, Duane and Bertha sold their house and moved to Irons, Michigan to their hunting cabin. That same year they started their annual trek to Florida for the winter.
Bertha worked for several years at the South Haven Rubber Company. She is a past President of the VFW Post #667 Auxiliary. She has volunteered many hours at the American Legion Post #49 and the VFW Post #667, both of South Haven, and AMVETS Post #1988 of Baldwin, MI. While in Florida, she was involved with fundraising for the Cross Creek Fire Department, Vet Space, and Military Stand Downs. Scrapbooking and sewing were her favorite hobbies.
She is preceded in death along with her parents by siblings-August Bierhalter Jr., Tressia Marshall, Sarah Bierhalter, Edna Bartholomew, George Bierhalter Sr., Myrtle Bierhalter, Florence Bierhalter and Billie Bierhalter.
Bertha is survived by her husband Duane, her daughter Arline Broome of South Haven, MI, son Dwight (Kay) Dewey of Phoenix, AZ, her brother Lester “Butch” of Grand Junction, MI, her brother Philip “Tip” of South Haven, MI, her sister-in-law Jean Sodini of Muskegon, MI, her grandsons, Lenny (Lisa) Schmit of Lakeland, FL and Denny (Christina) Schmit of Williston, FL, 4 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements/memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bertha’s honor to your favorite Veterans Organization Auxiliary.
Arline so sorry for your loss.. ????????
Always ready for a hardy laugh. That’s what we will always remember her for. Glynn and I were lucky to have known her.
She will be missed.. I will always remember how amazing she was and her spunky spirit.
Our family has lots of memory of up north with Dewey & Bertha, they never meet a stranger. Bertha had a lasting smile. So blessed to had them as a neighbor.We lost a precious friend. R.I.P. Bertha.
Arline, so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother and father were two of the happiest, most enjoyable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. God bless.
Godspeed Hidden Hero.
Bertha was a very special lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends.
Love, Kent & Janine Drake
She was a great Lady.. & I will miss her dearly.. Until we meet again Bert, U will always be in my heart..
Arline and family – so very sad to hear of the passing of your beloved mother. Know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending heartfelt condolences to your family. So blessed to grow up next door to your family. May God give you all comfort & peace during this difficult time.
There rally isn’t any way to describe such a fine lady.Bertha you’ll be missed by so many! You’ll always have a place in our ❤️.RIP Love EIN and Gloria Brufladt
Duane and Arline. So sorry for your loss. We loved her dearly. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Dan and Linda Rosema
We send our condolences. We pray that God surround you all with His loving grace and bless Bertha with eternal peace.
With our love,
We have been Blessed to have her in our lives. Thank you for sharing her with us.
I am so sorry for your loss. Bertha was such a wonderful person. It was such a blessing for her to be apart of our lives. My condolences to all her family and friends. She will be greatly missed. Prayers for all of you. May she be in God’s loving arms this day.
I with miss my dear friend Bertha, I have only known her the past cot years, but she became very dear to my heart. I miss our talks, and walks. I miss her smile so much. Be happy Bertha you are Duanes angel now watch over him . I live you .
Arlene, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss of your mom. I love you … will see you at the memorial. Char