Bernice Ruth Tretheway, age 105, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024. She was born on December 15, 1918, in the copper mining town of Baltic, Houghton County, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to Bernard and Florence Manderfield.
She graduated in 1936 from Painesdale High School (now Jeffers High School), and in 1938, completed a Commercial Course from Suomi Junior College in Hancock, Michigan (now known as Finlandia University). Jobs were very scarce at that time and was fortunate to be hired right out of school as a clerk in the treasurer’s office in the Houghton County Court House.
In 1941 she married Martin J. Tretheway at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton. Their son, Martin, and daughter, Janet, were born while living in Houghton. In 1951, Martin accepted a position with Nylen Products Company on Red Arrow Highway, and the family moved to Stevensville.
This adopted community was a great part of Bernice’s life. She was active in the Stevensville School and Lakeshore consolidation and served as the first president of the Lakeshore Parent Teacher Student Association. She served as secretary to the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation for six years.
Bernice was involved with the establishment of the Lincoln Township public Library, which had its inception in 1958 with a volunteer group who set up a summer program in the old Stevensville School. She served on the first library board. She was a member of the Friends of the Lincoln Township Library and served as its secretary. In 1963 she was elected Lincoln Township Clerk, and later Lincoln Township supervisor until 1979, when she was appointed the Berrien County Register of Deeds, retiring in 2000. She was the first woman to ever serve on the township board, and the first to be supervisor. In 1991, she received the first award given as “Register of Deeds of the Year” for the State of Michigan by the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds.
Bernice was a longtime member and past president of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, a member and past president of the Executive & Professional Women’s Club of Southwest Michigan, and Lakeland Medical Center Lifetime Auxiliary Volunteer.
Bernice was active in the Republican Party, twice serving as vice-chairman for the executive committee, and received emeritus membership in 2001. She was a past secretary and president of the Berrien County Republican Women. She was also a member and treasurer of the Friends of Berrien County Shriners, whose efforts raised funds for handicapped children.
Bernice is survived by her son, Marty (Denise) Tretheway of Estero, FL; daughter, Janet (David) Prahler of The Villages, FL; grandsons, Steven Tretheway and David Tretheway; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and beloved husband, Martin Tretheway.
A private family service will take place. For a more lasting memory, donations in Bernice’s name can be made out to either St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lakeshore Excellence Foundation, Lincoln Township Public Library, or Sarett Nature Center. Feel free to share a memory with the family at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Memorial Contributions
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH – ST. JOSEPHLAKESHORE EXCELLENCE FOUNDATIONLINCOLN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARYSARETT NATURE CENTER
Service Details
Interment
Where
Lincoln Township Cemetery
Address
5055 St. Joseph Ave.
Stevensville , MI 49127
Posted On: Friday, September 13, 2024 3:20 PM
