Bernice C. Spanier, 89, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Allure of Mendota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Holy Cross, Mendota at 10:30 a.m. with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be held Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Bernice was born August 1, 1934 in Mendota to Gilbert and Dorothy (Frank) Spanier.

Bernice went to nursing school in Chicago 1952-1955. After nursing school she worked in Iowa City at the Veterans Administration Hospital. She joined the United States Navy in 1966. Bernice  did her Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida naval base, then off to Guantanamo for one year. Bernice then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to orthopedic school. She was then stationed  in Oakland, California for 4 years working in orthopedics. From there she spent two years in Sasebo, Japan. Coming back to the states she spent 4 years in San Diego, California, where she made Commander. Then she went back to Oakland, CA. for four years. For her last two years before she retired she worked at Great Lakes Mainside Hospital.

Bernice donated many hours to Mendota Area Senior Services and Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry. She also volunteered her time at Share Program. Bernice loved her church. She opened up Holy Cross Church for daily masses as well as leading the residents at the nursing homes in the Rosary.

She is survived by her siblings Marilyn Neff, Robert (Pam) Spanier and Joseph (Diane) Spanier; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers James and John.

Memorials may be directed to Holy Cross Church or Holy Cross School.

Bernice felt her life was fashioned after the saying, "The Greatest Happiness in Life comes not from Having but from Giving".