06/13/2007

Notification of Death - Bernadine M. Bringman

May 28, 2007

OFDA received word this morning that Bernadine M. Bringman, 93, of Upper Sandusky, died on May 28, 2007. Mrs. Bringman was the widow of Joseph A. Bringman former owner/operator of the Bringman Clark Funeral Home, Upper Sandusky. She is the mother/mother-in-law of Pamela/William Clark, 4th generation and grandmother of Aaron Clark and Ann Leightey, 5th generation funeral directors at Bringman Clark Funeral Home.

Born May 8, 1914 in Fremont, she was a daughter of William B. and Florine R. (Gabel) Ketterer. She married Joseph A. Bringman on June 25, 1938 in Fremont. He died Feb. 1, 1997.

Mrs. Bringman is survived by two daughters, Barbara Eden, South Riding, Va.; and Pamela Clark, Upper Sandusky; and four grandchildren, Aaron Clark, Ann Leightey and Courtney and Callie Eden. She was preceded in death by a sister, Audrey Smith, and a grandson, Bradley Eden.

A 1932 graduate of Fremont St. Joseph's High School, Mrs. Bringman graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1935 with a two-year certificate and began teaching in the public school system in Fremont.

In 1936, she was hired to teach at Stam School in Fremont. In 1947, she began teaching in Nevada, where she taught for two years. At the request of the local Mother's Club, she started a kindergarten in her home. She also taught at St. Peter's Catholic School for three years.

She earned a bachelor's degree in education from BGSU in 1961. She then began teaching in the Upper Sandusky school system, where she taught for 29 years, retiring in 1972.

The last 10 years of her teaching career were dedicated to children with reading problems at South and East schools. In 1950, she was chosen through the Upper Sandusky school system to be a critic teacher for a Bowling Green student.
Many of her summers were dedicated to helping students by tutoring them in all areas of schooling.

She also assisted in the family-owned and operated Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bringman was a member of Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church for more than 60 years. She was a member of the Ladies of the Church, was the past president of the Rosary Altar Society which she organized and was past president of the St. Jerome Study Club. She was a charter member and past president of Alpha Usando Literary Club, Upper Sandusky. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Alumni, Fremont, and was a member of the University Circle of BGSU. She was a life member of the Ohio Education Association and was a member of the Wyandot County Retired Teachers. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Star Players and the Red Hat Society, all of Upper Sandusky. She also was a member of the Wyandot Memorial Hospital Guild, Partners in Heath at the hospital and was a former Girl Scout leader.

Her hobbies were drama, playing piano and organ, reading, needlepoint, creating jeweled eggs, playing euchre, being in several bridge clubs and aquatic exercises. She like traveling with her husband and spent many winters in Florida. The Bringman's enjoyed traveling with OFDA extended conferences during the Zelma Bishop era.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church with the Rev. Kent Kaufman officiating. Burial is in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Catholic School, Upper Sandusky Community Library, Wyandot County Home Health Agency or Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community in care of Bringman-Clark Funeral Home, 226 E. Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky OH 43351.