Bernice Wicker

Bernice Irene Franz Wicker, 93, of Berrien Springs, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 9 at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, with Lanny Duffel conducting the services. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, December 8. Memorial donations may be made to American Legion Auxiliary, Stover Wagner Post #85, Berrien Springs; or Hospice at Home. Online condolences www.allredfuneralhome.com.

Bernice was born February 12, 1923 to Stanley and Alice (Truhn) Franz.  She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1941, received a Teaching Certificate from Western Michigan University in 1943 and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1956. On June 2, 1949, on the stage of the Berry Theatre in Berrien Springs, in conjunction with a promotion for the movie June Bride, she married John Raymond Wicker; they celebrated 50 years of marriage before his death in 1999. Bernice taught in many one/two-room schoolhouses, as well as other rural public schools. After teaching for many years, Bernice and John owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Berrien Springs for 25 years, were part owners in the Benton Harbor Dairy Queen, the Dairy Queen on the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, as well as the Candlewick Party Store in Eau Claire.

Bernice is survived by her son, Tom (Barb) Wicker of Berrien Springs; granddaughter, Denise (Lanny) Duffel of Berrien Springs; grandson, Michael (Kayla) Wicker of Durango, Colo.; great -grandchildren,  Ethan and Abigail Duffel; brothers, Eldon (Bonnie ) Franz of Eau Claire, and Ron (Marilyn) Franz of Otsego, Mich.; sisters, Doris Culbertson, Lois (Gene) Akright, Virginia (George) Skibbe, all of Eau Claire, and Bev (Claude) Orvis of Butte, Mont.; and  many treasured nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; daughter, Joyce; brother-in-law, Jim Culbertson.

Bernice and John enjoyed many retired years as "Winter Texans" in Harlingen, Tex. They loved to travel in their motorhome. They were blessed to be able to visit all 50 states, as well as a trip around the world. Bernice prided herself in her amazing ability to remember family and friends' birthdates and made conscious efforts to contact them on their birthday. She loved to play games and teach anyone who wanted to learn how to play, listen to live music, and visit with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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

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