Bertha Mary Claeys

Claeys, Bertha M. MESSINA; age 92; of New Baltimore; passed away November 25, 2014. She was a member of the Ira Township Sesquicentennial Committee and helped with the publication of the book “Heritage of Ira”. She enjoyed photography, cooking, oil painting, sewing, traveling, spending time with family, friends and grandchildren. Her son in law Dennis describes Bertha as like “Florence Nightingale”. She was married to Louis Raymond Claeys on June 20, 1942 at Immaculate Conception Church in Anchorville, Michigan. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ignatius George and Nardina (DiBella) Messina from Trapani, Sicily, Italy; step father, Frank Sanzoni from Trapani, Sicily, Italy; husband, Louis Raymond; son, Gary Joseph Claeys; daughter, Marie Diane (Claeys) Percowycz; daughter in law, Carol Jane (Cole) Claeys. She is survived by daughters, Barbara Young of Cottrellville, Deborah (Richard) Hawkins of New Baltimore; sons, Louis A. from Marshall and Richard Claeys from Fair Haven; grandchildren, Robert and Michael Young, Becky Theiner, Gary R. Claeys, Cathy (Claeys) Sanford, Nicole (Percowycz) Elmes, Andrew Percowycz; great grandchildren, Autumn and Samantha Sanford and Lillienne and Lincoln Elmes; sisters, Pauline Wright and the late Josephine (Sanzoni) Messina; brothers, Jack, Ben, Michael Sanzoni and the late Tony Messina. Viewing was November 28 at Gendernalik Funeral Home in New Baltimore. Funeral services were held on November 29 at Immaculate Conception Church in Anchorville. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society. She is laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Anchorville, Michigan.