Bertha De Meester

Aug. 20, 1907 - Feb. 6 ,1997

Bertha De Meester, 89, of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 12:10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, after a lengthy illness.

Bertha was born in Mishawaka on August 20, 1907, to Julius and Elodie (DeMuynck) Van Daele, who both preceded her in death. On June 23, 1927, she married Cyril A. De Meester in St. Bavo Catholic Church, Mishawaka, who also preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 1982.

Mrs. De Meester is survived by two daughters, Lois (William) Leyes and Patricia De Meester, both of Mishawaka; a son, John C. (Dee) De Meester of Mishawaka; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Also preceding Bertha in death were a sister, Martha Dhuyvetter, and three brothers, Alphonse Van Daele, August Van Daele and James De Meester.

Bertha was a member of St. Bavo Catholic Church, Mishawaka; was a former member of the church's Altar Society and choir; was a member of the Mishawaka Homing Pigeon Club Auxiliary; and was a graduate of the former South Bend Conservatory of Music.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, or to the Aaron Leyes Trust Fund.