Obituary of Doris Dean Bernhard
Doris Dean Dahl was born in Monroe Township, Michigan on March 21, 1926. The daughter of Louis Dahl and Caroline (Mashek) Dahl, she was one of six children born to their union. Doris was a 1943 graduate of Monroe High School.
She married William Bernhard on March 8, 1947 in Monroe, Michigan. The couple was blessed with two children: Patricia and William “Chip”. For many years, Doris, cared for the needs of her family as a homemaker. Doris and William were of strong Christian faith. They enjoyed worshipping together and she was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo for more than fifty years. Over the course of her life, she had read through the Bible dozens of times. Doris was very appreciative of her earthly blessings and strived to care for all those things gifted to her by her Heavenly Father from her own body and health to worldly possessions.
Later in life, Doris, sought additional education and took a position as an Administrative Assistant for Pilkington (Libby Owens Ford). She would serve in this capacity for a dozen years before retiring on April 1, 1989.
Doris loved being outside. Much of her focus was on maintaining a beautiful landscape as she meticulously cared for her lawn and flowers. Doris loved her family implicitly, and treasured the time she spent with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and baker, with food being one of the ways she shared her love with them. Doris had a passion for antiques and collectibles.
Doris Dean Bernhard, age 96, of Monroe passed away at 6:45am at her home on Wednesday; October 12, 2022. She was surrounded by the love of her family and had been under the care of Custom Home Hospice. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her beloved husband of fifty-six years: William Bernhard on December 27, 2003; her two sisters: Stella Dahl and Viola Birtcher; and two brothers: Duane Dahl and Robert Dahl.
To cherish her memory she leaves a daughter: Patricia (Ron) Evans of Monroe; a son: Reverend William "Chip" (Margie) Bernhard of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; a brother: Donald (Charlene) Dahl of Arizona; five grandchildren: Emily (Chris) Adams of Monroe, Erin (Aaron) Dowen of Monroe, Kelly (Mike) Carlo of Wisconsin, Karl (Bethany) Bernhard of Wisconsin, and Ben (Christine) Bernhard of Wisconsin; great grandchildren: Maxx and Alec Adams, Ava and Evan Dowen, Liam, Rielyn, and Mia Carlo, McKenna, Kinley, and Avery Bernhard, and Will Bernhard; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will lie in state from 10:00am until 11:00am on Friday; October 14, 2022 at Emmanuel Baptist Church; 4207 Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio 43623. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 11:00am with her son, the Reverend William “Chip” Bernhard officiating. Private entombment will take place at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania. The family has entrusted her care to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Samaritans Purse; PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 (828) 262-1980. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
The Bernhard family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to full-time caregiver, Kathy McCammon. Special acknowledgement to Margie Rushlow, and Jill Williamson for the love and compassion shown to Doris.