Bernice Marie Sibal

Bernice M. Sibal, 91, of Goshen, passed away Friday, January 29, 2021, at Goshen Hospital.

She was born May 23, 1929 in New Salem, Michigan, the fifth of seven children, to John and Clara (Weber) Zerfas.  On June 9, 1951 she married Donald W. Sibal at St. John’s Catholic Church, Albion, Michigan, officiated by her brother, Father Herman Zerfas.

He survives along with seven children, Jane Schneider of Goshen, Stephen (Teri) Sibal of Troy, Michigan, Philip (Marianne) Sibal of Silver Spring, Maryland, Paul (Terri) Sibal of The Woodlands, Texas, Thomas (Stephanie) Sibal of Goshen and twins, Carol (Jon) Chase of Pinehurst, North Carolina and Kathleen (Dr. Michael) Myers of Fort Wayne; 25 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a sister, Dolores (Bruce) Douglas of Winter Park, Florida and a brother, Ronald (Joan) Zerfas of Lansing, Michigan.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Edmund, Herman and Gerald Zerfas and a sister, Sr. M. Claudette Zerfas, CSJ.

She graduated from Nazareth Academy, Nazareth, Michigan in 1947 and St. Camillus School of Nursing, Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1950.

After moving to Goshen from Austin, Minnesota in 1969, she was employed at High Park Physicians and later at Goshen General Hospital where she worked as a registered nurse in the obstetrics department, retiring in 1991.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Goshen, where she served as an organist for many years and was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society, and chaired the funeral luncheon committee for many years.

She was a regular volunteer with Meals on Wheels and volunteered at Katie’s Kitchen.

A private family visitation and rosary will take place.

The public is invited to the funeral mass, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 11 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Goshen.  Father Tony Steinacker will officiate.  Please follow all COVID-19 protocols.

Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s or Meals on Wheels.