Bethel Jerome
4 Post Condolences
Our beloved Bethel Evey-Jerome, age 94, of Sumner, passed away May 6, 2023 at Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center in St. Louis, Michigan, where she resided since November 2022.
Bethel was a life-long resident of Michigan. She was born in Elm Hall on September 16, 1928, the daughter of Walter and Opal Evey. As a child, she lived in Sumner with her family, which included her parents, brothers Dale, Bernard and Elmon, and her sister, Betty. She graduated from Crystal High School in 1947, and during that same year, married Lyle Jerome, also of Sumner.
In 1953, after renting in Alma and Sumner during the first few years of their marriage, Lyle built the family their first forever home in Sumner. Here they raised their family of six children, Gayla, Carla, Denise, Robin, Rod, and Wendy. Although their children married and moved to their own homes to raise their children, Lyle and Bethel continued to provide the perfect ingredients for creating new memories in their home with their many grandchildren and their great-grandchildren. The home was packed with family members during many Christmas and birthday celebrations, and in their later years, camping in the back yard was a fun-filled family event. After Lyle passed away in 2017, Bethel remained in the home until 2022.
With the exception of teaming with Lyle during his par-time job as a custodian of the Sumner school during the late 1960’s through the early 1970’s, Bethel made her role as a wife and mother her lifetime career. It was important for her and Lyle to provide a safe and nurturing home for their family by working tirelessly every day. Without a doubt, they lovingly provided for their family an environment consisting of the comforts of nourishing meals, clean and mended clothes, and a calming sense of security when they all went to bed each night.
In her younger adult years, Bethel enjoyed many activities such as yard work, growing flowers, playing croquet, and bowling. It was a well-known fact to those who knew her that she was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers.l
Lyle and Bethel were members of Ferris Church of Christ in Vestaburg, Michigan, for several years. They truly enjoyed the fellowship and worship while serving the Lord with their church family.
Bethel is survived by five of her children, Gayla (Gary) Wilkinson, Denise (Richard) LaPaugh, Robin (Joe) Lepley, Rod (Shelly) Jerome, Wendy (Darrel) Rauch, and son-in-law, Steve Smith. Her many grandchildren include; Jamie Hunt, Mary (Lonny) Shook, Cary (Amy) Wilkinson, Dawn (Steve) Schmid, Lance Smith, Bret (Aubrey) Smith, Tammy (Jeff) Coe, Kristy (Pat O’Boyle) Smith, Heather (Dan) Wright, Daniel (Wendi) Lepley, John (Amanda) Ripley) Lepley, Alison Jerome, Kristyn (Chris) Roethlisberger, Joshua Jerome, Derek (Crissy) Rauch, Britt (Jodi) Rauch, Scott (Jeniffer) Rauch, Ryan Jerome, Ashley (David Bonner) Rauch, and Corey (Kaylan) Rauch. She is also survived by several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Lyle, in 2017, and her daughter, Carla Jerome-Smith in 2004.
The family of Bethel Jerome would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. Thank you to the medical staff of Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center and Mid Michigan Hospice for their services and care for Bethel over the past few months. Thank you, also, to Ferris Church of Christ, pastor Keith Mitchell for officiating the funeral services and to the church family for providing a luncheon for the attending guests. For overseeing and coordinating all fo the aspects of the funeral service, we thank Barden Funeral Home.
The visitation and funeral service will be on Friday, May 12 at the Ferris Church of Christ, 3443 North Crystal Road in Vestaburg, Michigan. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon art the church will be provided after the funeral and followed by a graveside service at the Sumner Cemetery.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.
Reader Comments (4)
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Heidi DeMeyer