Our beloved mother, Bernice Michel passed peacefully September 8, 2015. Her enriched life began in the small Midwest community of Coweta, Oklahoma May 18, 1925 with parents, Barney and Inda Blythe. Most of her childhood was spent in Fillmore where she graduated from high school with the unforgettable Class of 1944. By 1946 she found the love of her life, Harold Michel. They married and began life together on Harold’s family citrus ranch in Bardsdale where they shared a home until his passing in 2011. Bernice remained on the family property in her home that she loved so much.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, and sisters, Willa Blythe Hawkins and Peggy Blythe Button. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Sandra and Frank Crowe, Elizabeth and John Kemp, Martha and Kenny Rogers. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Margaret Kemp, Sarah Kemp, Jacob and wife, Nichole Kemp and their son Peyton, Jennifer Crowe, Alison and Chris Crowe Purdy with their sons William and Bryce, Amy Rogers, and Marie and Brian Haase with their sons Carson and Austin. Missing her so much is her sister Mary Blythe Purves of Montana.
Bernice was an integral part of the Fillmore and Bardsdale community. As a family they enjoyed times at the Bardsdale School where she wore many hats nurturing her own children and their friends. She was a member of the Fillmore Presbyterian Church, Fillmore Ebell, the Santa Paula Hospital Auxiliary and the Fillmore High School Alumni Association. She took great pride in her membership with the Fillmore/Piru Citrus Association through which she carried on the family legacy of agriculture in Ventura County.
She will especially be remembered by the community for the beautiful and welcoming home and yard that she and husband Harold created for family and friends. All enjoyed her strong will, sense of humor and determination to live life.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for support from Kelly Gomez, Dr. Gary Deutsch and staff and the Community Memorial Hospital Staff who briefly and so respectfully attended to our mother.
Graveside services will be held September 28, 2015, at 1pm at the Bardsdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Fillmore High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 385, Fillmore, California, 93015.