John Lawrence Bermel

BERMEL, John Lawrence - Of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, formerly of Flint, age 98, died Tuesday, December 23, 2003 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM Monday, December 29, 2003 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 706 Beach Street in Flint, Father Frederick H. Taggart, O.S.A. officiating. Burial in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Matthew Parish or the Augustinian Order of Priests. Visitation 12Noon-8PM Sunday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. A rosary will be prayed at 7PM Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Bermel will be at the church from 9:30AM until the time of the Mass on Monday. He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1905, the son of Anthony and Elizabeth Bermel, and was a resident of Flint since 1931 before moving to Pennsylvania. He married Olivia Andres in 1930 in Radall, Minnesota and she preceded him in death. He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for 20 years. He was also a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Mr. Bermel retired from Chevrolet V-8 Engine Plant with 36 years of service. Surviving are son, John and wife Geraldine Bermel of Pennsylvania; daughter, Marilyn and husband Dan Burch of Grand Blanc; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Bernard of Minnesota and Matthew of Idaho; several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers, Lawrence, Henry, Anthony, and Edward; sister, Theresa Kjeldergaard and former son-in-law, Thomas Kolena.