Bernice L Michaels

Bernice L. Michaels

Age 87, died peacefully on January 29, 2007 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the devoted wife of Walter E. Michaels and the beloved mother of Kathy Michaels Barrett (husband Kevin). Bernice was known to her friends as ""Bea,"" her family as ""Cissy,"" and to all as a kind and loving woman. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Harriet (late Richard) Scheuber of Joliet, Illinois and by numerous nieces and nephews whom she held dear. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Frances (nee Brate) Slapnicar; five sisters, Paula Bevan Grego, Stella (late Louis) Legan, Christine ""Tina"" Slapnicar, Josephine ""Jo"" (late Ralph) Ambrose, Mildred ""Mickey"" (Steve) Jacobs; and one brother, Joseph ""Sonny"" Slapnicar. She loved every moment that she spent with her siblings and their families. Bernice was born in Joliet, Illinois on October 16, 1919. She graduated from the Saint Luke's School of Nursing in Chicago in 1941. She was a veteran of World War II, honorably serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1943 to 1945. Most of her service career was spent aboard military hospital ships that transported wounded soldiers. In 1945, she received a Commendation for her outstanding service and the lives that she saved while on temporary assignment at the 29th Evacuation Hospital at Manila, Philippines. After service, she continued her nursing career by serving as a school nurse at Joliet Township High School and Junior College, where she worked until 1961. She valued the opportunity to work with students and faculty, and she maintained lifelong friendships with many of her ""teacher friends."" On June 11, 1960, she joyfully married Walter E. Michaels. They resided in the suburbs of Chicago before relocating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1971. Bernice was a devout Catholic and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. She was a member of many organizations, including the American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ). She was an avid golfer and a member of several golf leagues. However, there was nothing she enjoyed more than playing a round of golf with her wonderful husband. She was a treasure and will be deeply missed. A Memorial Mass will be said for Bernice on Friday, February 16th at 3:00 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Avenue Dallas, Texas. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church 416 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org. Tezak Funeral Home 815-722-0524, www.tezakfuneralhome.com will be handling the arrangements in Joliet.