Bernice Lunz Taylor

Bernice Lunz Taylor, 89, of Berrien Springs, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2016, at Shangrila Homes in Berrien Springs.

She was born August 18, 1927, in Clintonville, Wisconsin to the late Ruth (Cottrell) Lunz and Charles Freeman Lunz and grew up on their dairy farm in Wisconsin in a family of seven girls.  She contracted polio at age 14, but with determination, she survived and went on.

Bernice graduated from Bethel Academy in Wisconsin, then went on to pursue a career in elementary education.  She earned a B.A. at Emmanuel Missionary College and a Master of Arts in Education at Andrews University.  Miss Lunz taught in Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools for 30 years.  She taught at the Berrien Springs Village SDA School for eight years, and also in St. Johns, Wilson, Allegan, and Lawton, Oklahoma.

Greatly enjoying traveling, Bernice visited Jamaica, South America, Norway, Alaska, Newfoundland, Canada, and more.  She sailed through the Strait of Magellan in Chile and flew over the South Pole and visited every state but Hawaii.

Community service included volunteering for many years at the Berrien County Senior Center, the Good Neighbor Center, and Berrien General Hospital.  Bernice also taught a Sabbath School class at Pioneer Memorial Church.

At age 65, Bernice married Harry Taylor, a retired English professor at Andrews University.

Mrs. Taylor is survived by two sisters, Helen Hyde of Jackson, Michigan, and Ardyce Moravetz of Battle Creek; a brother-in-law, Richard Rorabeck of Berrien Springs; and many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sisters: Lolita Lucas, Hazel Sykes, Bernita Rorabeck, and Margaret Babcock.

Many thanks to Shangrila Homes for Bernice’s care for the past four years during her decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.  Thanks also to Hospice at Home.

Donations may be made to the Bernice Lunz Taylor Endowed Scholarship Fund at Andrews University, supporting elementary education.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 9, at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, with visitation with the family one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Online condolences to www.allredfuneralhome.com.

Visitation:
Allred Funeral Home
212 South Main Street, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Funeral:
Allred Funeral Home
212 South Main Street, Berrien Springs, MI 49103