Dear Marlene:
I am saddened to hear of Bernie’s passing.  I don’t believe I ever met you or Bernie 
I was a friend of Jim and Caroline Matthew’s and Jim was always talking about Bernie.  That is why I looked him up only to see he passed 
I wanted to send the both of you the resting place of the Matthew’s in Duluth. 
If you would like the photos just call me or send a text to 4079285048 and I will send them via text or email if you send me that address 
With my condolences
Bill Losen

I am sorry to hear about my God Father passing away.
He will certainly have a great time in heaven.  He made us laugh and always had a good time.  I always enjoyed visiting with the family when I was a child and have fond memories. What a great man. Much love to the family and may god bless you all.


I wrote this for the service last minute but never got the opportunity. 

My Grandpa 

•

Grandpa was many things.. 

He was funny - he’d sing us silly songs like “grandma got run over by a reindeer” near Christmas. Or the classic “booger on my finger”. He’d always make wacky faces that made us laugh, and we were lucky enough to see this of recent with our own children, my siblings and I. 

He was magic - he could make a coin appear from behind my ear. Also, You could somehow, without fail, pull his finger for flatulence on command. 

He was proud - confident and proud of himself but also proud of his grand kids, and always made sure we knew that. 

He was wise - he taught me to surround myself with people that love and support me, that make me better, anyone else “you just don’t need ‘em” he’d say. He helped reenforce good manners, how to give a proper, firm handshake and to look someone in the eye when you spoke to them, another one I remember is “Ryan if you save 10 cents of every dollar you make, you’ll be a rich man by my age” wish I would’ve listened to that one… among many other practical skills, he taught me how to fish, something we bonded over for many years. 

He was creative - we all enjoyed his annual Christmas letters that were beyond clever. He also built an entire world in his basement with trains.

But above all, he would love, and was loved by so many. 

They say you actually die twice, first when your soul leaves your body, and again when your name is spoken for the last time. So I invite you all to keep telling Bernie Kress stories, keep saying his name, tell your kids, and your kids kids. 

We love you grandpa, we know you’re watching over us with uncle mike and aunt Teresa as our guardian angels and we’ll miss you dearly. 

Until we meet again. 

Ryan 

•

Marlene and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Although I did not know Bernie, we heard about him while working at Community Kitchen and had been praying for all of you during this time of hospitalization and health struggles at home. I continue to hold you in my heart and wish you  strength and peace as you go through this tough time of mourning and adjustment.
Sincerely,
Karen Zwart

Sincere condolences to our dearest friend Marlene and the Kress family.  Our hearts have been touched with you in the great loss of “Bernie”, your husband, father and grandfather.   We are thankful for the loving memories of our dear friend who filled our lives with many moments of laughter, fellowship and wisdom.  He will be deeply missed and we pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen the Kress family during this time of bereavement.

Love always!

Howard & Trish

So happy to have worked with you, Marlene, and be able to have met your wonderful husband. I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

Felicia Finch

Dear Marlene and family,
These times leave me speechless.
I am glad to have met Bernie so many years ago. His love for you, Marlene, was a joy to behold. I hope you will  find comfort in the strength of his love for you and your wonderful children, and joy in your lifetime of memories!
My sincere condolences, loving thoughts and prayers,
Judith (Rohrman)Dieker 

I am saddened to hear of the loss of Bernie.  We became friends at Michigan Claims Service at the company’s home office in the early 80’s.  The company eventually became Adjusting Services Unlimited and then The ASU Group.  Bernie and I went on several fishing trips together and regularly hosted clients at our company golf outings.  Perhaps most enjoyably, we often went to lunch together as our offices were right next to each other for many years at company headquarters.  I loved his humor, and his dedication to simply getting the job done, especially when a catastrophe occurred.
I last saw Bernie and Marlene at Jim Matthews funeral in East Lansing. I am glad we had a little time to visit with each other.  He was, as usual, in good humor at that time.
The Kress family members are in my thoughts and prayers  at this difficult time.  God bless and keep you.
                                                                           Larry Musser

                                               

Cheerleading Bernie will never be forgotten!

Dear Kress Family,

I remember Bernie as a very funny and positive person.
He will always willing to chip in to help anyone even though he had a lot going on with his own family.
As a longtime neighbor many years ago on Bedford Rd, it was easy to see how much he enjoyed life and truly loved his family. 
It was great to reconnect a couple of years ago at a funeral for another former neighbor.
We were blessed to know Bernie and the great example he set.
Yours in Christ,
John and Linda Dietrich

Gail and I extend  our condolences to Marlene and to all of the Kress family. Bernie was a unique and admirable man who brought joy and friendship to all he met. Our fond memories are during the neighborhood prayer meetings we participated in together with many others. Bernie would show up with his "5" string , sometimes "4", guitar Bernie would be strumming and we all sang praises to the Lord. Great times and great memories.

Trish and I extend our condolences and prayers to Marlene and all the Kress family.  We all have such wonderful memories of Bernie and how he impacted our lives.  He invited me  back in the St Casmir days to attend a cursillo and that lead to my establishing a relationship with Christ.  Thanks Bernie.  Beth and I also had many wonderful memories of our days with him leading the Casmir prayer group and countless other encounters with Bernie and Marlene over the years.  His was a life well lived and one that is a joy to celebrate.  
Patrick and Trish Aseltyne 

Deepest sympathies Marlene and family. 
Bernie was a kind man .
Audey & Janet Witt- Holiday Shores

Laughter followed “Uncle Dirty” (I couldn’t say “Bernie” as a toddler) wherever he went. He was my dad’s younger brother, but also his friend. I grew up listening to the two of them tell stories, invent stories, and accuse each other of cheating at cards - Bernie was usually the accused, which he denied, laughing.  As the flower girl in his wedding, I still remember the looks of adoration he gave his new wife.  Those looks lasted 62 years. 
Bernie was excellent at dispensing advice.  He could get angry at injustices. He was kind and fair, a natural teacher. He taught my kids how to fish on a visit to MI. He had a great love of water, but no greater love than family. 
Laughter. A perpetual, mischievous smile. A story.  Love. 




Suzie, and Peggy- your families are in our thoughts and prayers as you cope with the loss of your beloved father. Prayers friends, for comfort and much love from all of us. ❤️🙏

My special brother. I will always remember his kindness to me throughout our life. Bernie was a "middle" child and I am the youngest. Bernie laughed when his high school buddies, "the crew" would talk to me when hanging out at the local soda shop. It always made my friends jealous because these high school football stars knew my name and chatted with me. Bernie was that proverbial kind and watchful Big Brother. When he was in the Marines stationed in Japan, he sent me special gifts. I learned about Japan because he cared for me.  He married a wonderful woman, Marlene, who became a real sister to me.  We stayed close  only through phone visits and a few physical visits because I moved across the country. We would share our faith and our adventures openly with each other. I will forever be thankful for the blessing that has been in my life and I will miss him dearly.  I pray for Marlene, Monica, Peggy, David and Susie, that Bernie's love for them will be a blessed memory and a comfort. Just don't forget to laugh about his crazy jokes!


I will miss Bernie forever. Wherever he was laughter and joy were present. He lived with love everyday. He adored his wife, Marlene,and children. Bernie was great friends with my husband and they loved to friendly challenge each other with golf and cards. We took several trips together and laughed and sang. One Fall we spent time up north watching the endless show of Aurora Borealis. During our Square Dance Days Bernie was my beloved "corner". Bernie also enjoyed singing a fun song:"Good Morning Mr. Zip, Zip,Zip..." I'll miss  his energy,and love. He truly loved each moment of his life. With love and unbearable sorrow. (Dick) and Diane Fisher. ...x...o...

So sorry for your loss Marlene.  I first met Bernie when he transferred to Benton Harbor/ St. Joseph in 1969.  He was a competitor, but we had mutual respect for each other.  Together we formed an adjusters association.  We were charter members.  In later years we both transferred to other areas, but we eventually we became members of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose and were able to meet socially.  Both of us became the leader of the Michigan Pond.  I went on to become the state secretary and was able to communicate with Bernie often.  He was always upbeat and never missed telling a joke.  The Blue Goose Convention In Whistler, BC takes place starting July 10th.  A dignified memorial service takes place during the convention.  Bernie will be included in that service.  

To all the family, so sorry, Bernie touched the hearts and giggles of all he knew. And all in return loved Wolf Woman of the Wolfpack! His support will be remembered with smiles and cheers! Our love to all of you. Coach and Linda Baughman

Marlene and family, Courtney and I send our condolences on Bernie’s  passing. I was proud to call him a friend and  co-worker all those many years at ASU, He was a joy to be with and always kept things light with his great attitude and sense of humor. A fellow Blue Goose member, I enjoyed working with Bernie on several charity endeavors and all those Lansing area golf outing. As we always say in a final salute following the passing of a fellow Blue Goose Member, “Hale friend and farewell!”

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John B. "Bernie" Kress Jr.

14 juillet 1937 – 29 juin 2023

Lakeshore Memorial Services

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