Bernice Maxine Miguel

She was born May 7, 1938, in Fresno and was raised on the family farm on Grantland and Nebraska Avenues in Caruthers. Her Father David Earl Cox and Mother Olive Mae Cox had 100 acres. They grew cotton and hay and had a dairy farm. She had three brothers and five sisters. She helped her parents along with her siblings on the farm. There she learned early the value of hard work and importance of family. It helped shape her into the woman she became.

She met her husband, Joaquin Miguel through their siblings. Their families knew each other growing up and frequently worked with different farmers in the area. Joaquin was a jokester, which annoyed Bernice in her early years. They started dating when she was in High School. They married after she graduated Caruthers Union High. Joaquin and Bernice wed on February 26, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Church in Kerman. They had two daughters Monica and Nancy.

Money was tight in the early years as her daughters were growing up. Bernice took pride in making matching clothes for her daughters and herself. Bernice enjoyed reading and could lose herself in a good book. She and Joaquin bought their first home together at the corner of Henderson and Cornelia. There they had a garden and would share their fruits and vegetables with family and friends. Bernice helped Joaquin realize his dream of owning his own ranch in 1977 and they moved to the ranch on Floral Avenue.

Bernice worked at St. Agnes Hospital for over forty years and greatly enjoyed her work and the many friends she made there. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and could always be counted on to help fellow co-workers if they needed a day off. Bernice worked weekends and evenings in the early years, and then finished her career working days in the PACU. She enjoyed her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and was known for her dedication and strong work ethic. Bernice understood the value of hard work and the pride it brings. She worked hard and enjoyed her time off.

Bernice loved going to Monterey on her time off. In the early fall she and Joaquin would take their vacation getaway to escape the pressures of daily life. She looked forward to relaxing at the Central Coast. She had fun looking through all the specialty shops and eating on the Embarcadero. She looked forward to spending time together at the coast with her family.

Bernice and Joaquin loved to vacation with their daughter, Nancy and son-in-law Dan and their children, Ben, and Rachel. Bernice and Joaquin treasured those times watching their grandchildren, Ben and Rachel grow up and being a part of their lives. Bernice loved going out to lunch with family and friends, and would frequently meet her daughter, Monica in town and have lunch, and get together to catch up on what was happening in the family. Bernice loved going to the Casino and frequently won. Bernice had a way of spotting the winning machines and was right most of the time.

Bernice and Joaquin loved going to the Casino with Jay and Mary DeBartolo. Joaquin and Uncle Jay enjoyed people watching and Bernice and Aunt Mary enjoyed finding the machines that would pay out; and afterwards they’d get lunch together and could be found at the Superior Dairy for ice cream. Getting together with family and friends was very important and special to Bernice, she treasured those times.

In May of 2022 Bernice, and Nancy took a girl’s trip to Oregon, Utah, and Reno to see family and dear friends, and to go to the casino, which was her Mother’s Day gift. Bernice enjoyed seeing Winnie and her great- grandchildren, Beda, and Carmelita. She enjoyed traveling, but equally enjoyed relaxing at home.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Joaquin, and beloved daughter Monica Elizabeth Logoluso. Her sisters Frances Lawrence; and brothers Clinton Cox, John Cox, and James Cox.

Bernice is survived by daughter Nancy Marie Zumkeller and her husband Daniel; grandson Ben Joaquin Zumkeller, and granddaughter Rachel Anne Hall and her husband Cameron; great-grandchildren Beda Zumkeller and Carmelita Zumkeller and, Caydence Hall, Caylee Hall, Weston Hall and Rylan Hall; and sisters Janice Taylor, Diana Dotson, and Patty McIntyer. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Mary DeBartolo and Florene Bettencourt and brother-in-law Frank Miguel. She is survived, by numerous nieces and nephews. Bernice will be remembered for her quick wit, being a loving mother and grandmother, and for her no none sense attitude. She will be loved, missed, and treasured forever.

A visitation for Bernice will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, 202 North Teilman, Fresno, CA 93706. A graveside service will occur Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Miguel family.