Bernadine Blue

Bernadine "Bernie" Blue, age 95, of Marshall, died on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Oaklawn Hospital. Bernadine was born to Gilbert W. and Blanche (Andrus) Blue on April 10, 1921 in Clarendon Township on the family farm in the house built by her father and mother. She enjoyed a loving and fruitful childhood at the farm on 22 Mile Road where her Grandfather and Grandmother Blue lived next door in the main farmhouse. She graduated from Homer High School in 1938. Her father Gilbert preceded her in death that same year. She met Lewis C. Williamson and they were married in August of 1941. She moved to Marshall. Lewis entered the U.S. Army in 1942 to serve in WWII. During those war years she lived with her sister Beryl and son, Jeffrey in a house on E. Michigan Avenue in Marshall. Upon Lewis' honorable discharge and return home in 1946, they settled down to life in Marshall. The couple added to their family with the birth of their daughter Paula and son Steven. They were married for 20 years. Later she was married to W. Albert Earl. The marriage ended in divorce, but Bernie helped care for Al at the end of his life when his health failed. After high school, she was a switchboard operator for Michigan Bell Telephone in Marshall. She then worked at J.H. Cronin Company until son Jeff was born. When she returned to the work force after the birth of her other two children, she worked at Win Schuler's Restaurant. Bernadine spent the majority of her working life as an employee of Calhoun County in the Calhoun County Building. For many years she operated the switchboard located in the lobby on the second floor. Later she transferred into the County Clerk's office from where she retired in 1986. After her retirement, she was a receptionist and funeral assistant at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home in Marshall for a number of years. She enjoyed travel, reading, family and puzzles. Bernie kept an exercise regimen at home and local gyms well into her 8th decade of life! She was especially close with her sister Beryl. They rarely missed a daily conversation or visit for many years! Bernie was the family historian. She even wrote a book of her life growing up on the farm in Clarendon that her family has enjoyed immensely! Bernie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, L. Jeffrey and Shirley Williamson of Battle Creek, daughter and son-in-law Paula and Bill Leake of Golden, Colorado, and son and daughter-in-law Steven D. and June Williamson of Las Vegas, Nevada; 5 grandchildren, Catherine "Cat" (Matt) Bonser, Elizabeth "Elly" (Matt) Bacon , Eric (Loan Luu) Tang Williamson, Evan (Jennifer) Williamson and Derek (Darcy) Williamson, 5 great-grandchildren; her sister Beryl Kempf of Marshall; sister-in-law Betty Blue of Homer, and nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death also by her granddaughter Tracy Lyne Williamson, her mother Blanche Howes, step-father Harry Howes, brother Willis Blue. a nephew Stanley Blue, sister-in-law Lois Blue, and brother-in-law Robert T. Kempf. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Family Funeral Home, Marshall Chapel on Thursday from 4PM to 7PM where family will be present to greet friends and share memories. A celebration of her life will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11AM with Rev. James Codde and Craig Kempf as celebrants . A reception will be held in the funeral home's Reception Hall immediately after the services. After cremation, Bernie will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery near her granddaughter Tracy. Assistance with memorials is available at Craig K. Kempf Family Funeral Home. The family suggests that friends who would want to remember Bernadine with a memorial make a contribution to the Marshall District Library. Assistance is available at the Funeral Home. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.