Bertha I. Lewis: 1918 - 2007
Bertha I. (Kumley) Lewis, 89, a former resident of Huntertown and more recently of Merriam, went to her Heavenly Home at 7:10 p. m. on Monday, December 31, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne following a recent hospitalization. She had been at the hospice home since Wednesday.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Lagro in Wabash County on August 14, 1918, a daughter of William T. and Clara (Wintrode) Kumley, and spent her formative years in rural Wabash County. She was married to Glenn W. Lewis on August 15, 1935 at age 17, and the couple were married for 54 years.
In 1943 the family moved to Huntertown, where she raised her family and lived for over 61 years until moving near Merriam in 2004 to live with her daughter Loretta.
She was employed as a cook at the former Allen County Children’s Home in Fort Wayne from 1966 to 1977, and was famous for her homemakde noodles and yeast donuts. She was an expert seamstress, and enjoyed knitting and gardening. A member of the LaOtto Wesleyan Church, she had attended Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam since 2004.
Mr. Lewis preceded her in death on January 25, 1990.
The surviving relatives include three sons Stewart (Arlene) Lewis of LaOtto, William (Sue) Lewis of Churubusco, and Larry Lewis of Fort Wayne; four daughters Glenna Robinson, Loretta (Walter) Pedigo, and Shirley Lewis, all of Churubusco, and Bettie (William) Beagan of Rossville, Ga; a sister Lillian Gebert of Fort Wayne; a daughter-in-law Bonnie Lewis of LaOtto; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son David Lewis in 2000; by three brothers Gerald Kumley in 1927, Charles Kumley in 1971, and Joe Kumley in 1998; six sisters Velda Kumley in 1928, Hazel Rhodes in 1982, Mary Grimmer in 1987, Dorothy Woodring in 2000, Martha Loeffler in 2001, and Mildred Wade in 2005; a daughter-in-law Sandra Lewis in 2007; three grandsons Matthew Beagan, Karl Carpenter, and Brian Lewis; and two great-grandchildren Jasmine Fee and Joshua Carpenter.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Friday, January 4, at the Cornerstone Wesleyan Church in Merriam with Pastor George Cecil, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Friday afternoon.
Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Lewis’ memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Lewis family and especially to our friend, Shirley.
Your mother or, Mrs. Lewis, as I always called her, was a very strong, yet gentle woman. I can remember going over to see Shirley, and, toward Christmas especially, Mrs. Lewis would be sitting in her living room in her “knitting” chair as I remember, sometimes watching TV, but also making a pair of slippers for one of the kids or grandkids. She would tell me, only “so many numbers” to go. All the little ones and big ones alike had to have a pair of slippers from her at Christmas. Then, “she wasn’t making any more”……’til the next go around.
I can see her out back of the house, sitting in her swing, with “Ginger” the dog, just enjoying the day, taking a rest from it all. Or, sometimes, I would stop over and she would be cooking, or just getting off of work. Tired, but always friendly and eager to talk.
Mrs. Lewis was a good mother, much like my own mother. A hardworking woman she was, with always sometimes that had to be done, but she could still find the time to talk or make Shirley and me some of the best-tasting donuts I had ever eaten, or yummy pizza. I can remember also that big kitchen table the Lewises had, with room enough for everyone and always welcoming me when I stopped in. Shirley and I had some good times playing games around that table, as did my husband Tony and sister Angie.
I remember good times down at the Lewis home, talking to both Mrs. Lewis and also, Mr. Lewis. He was full of advice and stories.
I remember Mrs. Lewis saying, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.” What a true statement is is!!! My husband Tony and I both say that statement when life is particularly trying. What an impression that must have made on us both to have remembered it all these years.
My husband Tony and I loved both of your parents. I know that it is hard to lose people you love so deeply but it makes it easier knowing their suffering is over and they’re in Heaven, no more pain, only gladness.
Please know that your mother will not be forgotten by us. She was a wonderful woman.
We care deeply for you.
Judy and Tony Lawyer