Bernard Workman

Bernard Workman was a man who learned about hard work at a young age; running a paper route that later turned into employment for the Muskegon Chronicle, a career that lasted for forty-five years. He developed a life-long passion for bowling, softball, golf and fishing. He was an excellent cook, and meticulous records keeper and wonderful gardener. Most importantly, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Born on July 5, 1916 in Muskegon, Michigan to Richard and Hilda (Port) Workman, Bernard was the youngest child of three. Richard and Hilda worked hard to raise Bernard, or Bernie, as he was called, along with his older sisters, Helen and Edna. Richard supported the family by working for Railway Express while Hilda stayed home to care for the children and run the household. The years in which Bernie grew up were idyllic for raising a family. Most Americans were enjoying peace and prosperity. The Workman family lived in East Muskegon on Kenneth Street. Bernie attended Angell School and the entire family faithfully attended Fifth Reformed Church. While keeping up with his studies, Bernie also kept busy with a paper route, selling papers on the corner, in front of the Michigan Theatre, in Downtown Muskegon. Through his work with the paper route, Bernie decided on a career in the paper business. He learned the printing trade at Muskegon High School and was hired at the Muskegon Chronicle at the young age of seventeen. As well as enjoying his job at the Muskegon Chronicle, Bernie also had a chance to socialize on the Chronicles bowling and softball teams. He also found time to fish at Muskegon Lake. In the course of the socializing, Bernie met a young lady and was married. The young couple started their married life together and in 1938 they brought their son, Gene into the world. When Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, Bernie, like many other young men at this time, joined the United States Navy to help defend the country. He proudly served in Hawaii, in the Navy Print Shop, from 1943 to1946. When Bernie returned from the military, it was difficult to adjust to the way it used to be and the marriage ended, with Bernie gaining custody of Gene. With his son Gene, Bernie had a small house built on Miner Ave in Lakeside, just up the hill from the Paper Mill. It was a big adjustment for Bernie and Gene, but Bernie was certainly up to the task. He was a dedicated single father, taking care of Gene and the house, becoming an excellent cook in the process. Luckily, Bernie had a second chance at love, and in 1953 he met a woman named Beverley Pothoff. Beverley was a single mother, who was supporting her two children, John and Dianne, as a secretary at Westran. Beverley had an aunt who worked at the Muskegon Chronicle and had set her up with Bernie at a Goodfellows party! The young couple dated, fell in love and were married on November 19, 1954. Bev and her two children moved in with Bernie and Gene. As soon as he could, Bernie adopted Bevs children, John and Dianne. In 1958, Bernie and Bev were blessed with their son, Doug, completing the family of six. Though the little house must have seemed crowded at times, Bernie was able to put his woodworking skills to good use by making additions to expand the house, over the years. When they could, Bernie and Bev would pack up the kids and head out for camping adventures at Copper Harbor, in the U.P., the Great Smokey Mountains, and the Cumberlands. Bernie enjoyed taking the kids fishing for perch on Lake Michigan and he and Bev bowled together on a mixed league. Bevs family was close-knit and there was lots of visiting back and forth between relatives. The cousins became best buddies and especially looked forward to the family get-togethers at Elks Park. Bernie also enjoyed golfing on the Chronicles league, his golf partner, Susan Harrison, a writer for the paper, golfed with Bernie on the mens league. Together, the family faithfully attended Bethlehem Lutheran and later, Lake Harbor United Methodist Church. After Bernies retirement in 1978, he took over all the household tasks and cooking, since Bev was still working as a secretary for Muskegon Public Schools. Adding to his earlier culinary skills, Bernie became an excellent cook and made sure his children knew how to cook, as well. Bernie was meticulous in keeping records, and this skill carried over to his lawn and garden and flowers, which were always in perfect condition. He kept up with his woodworking and added bird house building to his many talents. On many summer nights you could find Bernie on the back porch listening to the Tigers games on the radio and admiring his back yard. In the winters he and Bev headed to the Corpus Christi area of Texas for nearly twenty years, to visit good friends and get away from the long, cold Michigan winters. Sadly, Bernie began to slow down, as the years took their toll. He did well with two knee replacements and even survived a bout of lung cancer. He remained active as long as he could, even still able to drive. In 2006, Bernie and Bev sold their house and moved into an apartment. When Bernie needed more care than he could receive at home, he moved into Poppen Hospice House. In the end, he was surrounded by the family that he loved so much. Bernie was the kind of man his family could depend on, not only for financial support, but for love and encouragement, as well. He was a man who was not afraid to help in the kitchen and with household chores. He will be remembered as a loving and caring family man who will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love him. Bernard Workman, age 92, died Saturday, May 9, 2009. Surviving are, his wife of 54 years, Beverley; sons, John (Cathy) Workman of Bluffton, Douglas (Linda) Workman of TX; daughter, Dianne (Tom) Young of Whitehall; grandchildren, Erin Sturtevant, Emma Torresen, Ian Davis, Joe Young, Cindy Young, Hallie Workman, Ryan Bird, Kevin Workman, Todd Workman, Patrick Workman, Lance Brown, Shane Brown, Krista Vanderstelt, Misti Daly; many great grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Penny Workman, Candy Workman; sister-in-law, Grace (Gunnard) Johnson of Muskegon. He was preceded in death by his son, Gene, grandson Gene Jr. & sisters, Helen Workman & Edna Anderson. A memorial service for Bernie will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009, 11:00 AM at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Erbes officiating. Visitation will take place 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. Memorial: Lake Harbor United Methodist Church or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.