Bernieta Marie (Callahan) Calder

Bernieta Marie (Callahan) Calder, 94 of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Heritage Community in Kalamazoo, after combating Alzheimer's disease for several years.

Bernieta was born October 19, 1927, in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Herman and Ruth (Shafe) Callahan. She grew up in Pennfield Township, attended the one-room schoolhouse (Hicks School) on the corner of St. Mary's Lake Road and M-66 North and was a 1945 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. She was employed at Percy Jones General Hospital as a nursing assistant. Bernieta then worked for the Pentagon in Washington D.C. She returned to Battle Creek from North Dakota in 1969 and continued working for the U.S. Government at the Federal Center in Battle Creek, until retiring in 1992.

Bernieta was formerly married to Leonard Weiher and Robert Calder, both deceased.

Bernieta was a Gold Star Mother. Her son, U.S. Army Specialist 4, Robert L. Weiher, honorably gave his life to his country on March 28, 1969, in Vietnam. Surviving are her children, Terry Weiher of Battle Creek, Kevin (Stacey) Calder of Elgin, IL, Kurt (Jamie) Calder of Galesburg, MI; four grandchildren, Kelly (Christian) Bodell, Christine (James) Kellay, Kyle Calder, Kara Calder; one great-grandchild, Ross Kellay; a brother, Theodore Burton "Burt" (Marilyn) Callahan of Battle Creek, MI; a son-in-law, David Mello and several cousins, a niece and nephew and their families. In addition to her son, Robert, Bernieta was also preceded in death by her daughter, Connie Mello (Weiher).

Bernieta was a longtime member of Battle Creek Friends Church, where she formerly sang in the choir. She loved music and also sang with the Battle Creek Sweet Adelines. She was an avid reader and formerly played BUNCO with a group of ladies for years. Bernieta will be remembered as a Godly woman, loving mother and grandmother.

Friends will be received 12:30-2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to celebrate her life will be officiated by Pastor John Grafton 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022. Inurnment will follow at Hicks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert L. Weiher Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (https://bccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1208) . This scholarship was established to honor Robert L. Weiher, a Pennfield High School graduate who served in the United States Army and died from wounds suffered in combat during the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations as well as the Purple Heart. He will always be remembered for the sacrifice he made for his country. Eligible applicants are Pennfield High School graduating seniors and graduates whose GPA is not above 3.3. Academic performance, financial need, citizenship, and strong moral character are included in the criteria for this award.