Bertha Maude Campbell, eldest of six children of Marguerite and Lee Campbell, was born on July 21, 1913 in Petroleum, IN. The Campbell's moved to Michigan April 1, 1928. Lee's brother Archie had found him a job making Kunkel Heaters for cars. Lee wondered out loud if the new job might turn out to an April fool's joke. Bertha married Keith Corliss October 15, 1932. With their young daughter and infant son, they moved to Mears in 1939 when Keith bought the corner grocery store from Chet Brubaker. Another son and another daughter completed the family. Bertha lived for her kids as she worked hard with Keith in the Mears Food Center. She was an accomplished seamstress and creator of beautiful handmade quilts. She knitted house slippers that she loved to wear and also to give away. In 1953 she and Keith built their dream house in Mears. They were very proud of that house. Bertha's oft-repeated desire was to stay in that house the rest of her life. Her children and grandchildren cherish fond memories of family times together there, especially Christmas Eve celebrations. Keith died in 1976. Their son Richard died in 1988, 12 years after the untimely 1976 death of his young wife Ruthann (Tubbs). He is survived by his second wife Theresa (Cashen). Bertha was proud to the matriarch of a large and growing family. Her favorite thing was to have her family gather at her house. She had 11 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. She is survived by her son Terry (Cleo), her daughters Bonnie (Richard, Jr.) Hain and Connie (Robert) Bricker, her sister Ethelyn (Wayne) Swihart, her brother Charles (Arlene), and her sister in law Lorraine (Van) Campbell. Two brothers and a sister preceded Bertha, Van (Lorraine) and Eugene (Emma Jean) Campbell, and Mildred (John) Schmiedeknecht. Bertha will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by many.
The Funeral Service for Bertha will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. from the Mears United Methodist Church with Rev. Ken Vanderlaan officiating. Interment will be in Mears Cemetery. Visitation Monday 6-8 P.M. at the Tate-King Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to Mears United Methodist Church.