Bernice D. Poplawski

Bernice D. Poplawski, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 A.M. Saturday, May 12 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Fr. Arul Lazar officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph.  Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 6:45 P.M., and from 9:30 until 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Those wishing to sign Bernice’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bernice was born July 17, 1926 in Daggett, Michigan to William “Bill” & Katherine (Kryzak) Kuprelski.  She graduated from Daggett High School in 1943.  On November 10, 1945 she married John W. Poplawski in Cicero, Illinois.  The family moved to Michigan where they raised their family.  Bernice was employed by Allied Van Lines & North American Van Lines in St. Joseph for many years, provided child care for many families in the area, worked in food service at Ramada Inn & Wyndwicke for many years before gaining employment at JC Penney’s from where she retired after 10 years. Bernice was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Women of the Moose and volunteered for Meals on Wheels.  She enjoyed gardening, bowling, dancing, going to the casino and painting with acrylic & oil.  Bernice cherished the time spent with her family who describe her as sweet as candy, but strong as steel.  She will be deeply missed. Bernice is survived by her children-Alan & Lawrence Poplawski of St. Joseph, John Poplawski of Hartsville, TN, Diana (John) Elsner of Sarasota, FL; eight grandchildren-Christopher (Shannon) Poplawski, Terah (Aaron) Howell, Troy (LaDonna) Gano, Stephanie Poplawski, John Anthony “Tony” Poplawski, Amanda (James) Mead, Adam Poplawski & Andrea Poplawski ; thirteen great-grandchildren with a great-grandson due the end of May; two sisters-Virginia Parrett of Stephenson, MI, Helen Lacombe of Green Bay, WI; and numerous nieces & nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband John on June 22, 1989, her grandson Patrick Poplawski in 2001, two sisters-Dorothy Sindorf & Charlotte Kutta; and two brothers-Alex & Joseph Kuprelski.