GRANGER – Bernard A. “Bernie” Eggink passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family July 19, 2016, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Vorden, The Netherlands, and in November 1948, at age 25, he immigrated to the United States. After a brief courtship in The Netherlands with Riek Waenink, he continued their relationship via correspondence for three years. Riek then immigrated to the U.S. to be reunited with Bernard. They married April 19, 1952, and would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. He arrived after a three-week boat trip, and then traveled to Iowa, where he worked on a farm and lived with the cousin who had sponsored his journey here. From Iowa, he moved to Mishawaka to accept a position at St. Francis Convent. They moved to Granger in 1960 where they bought and operated Bernard's Food Center for 23 years, which became well known locally for its custom meat department. He was a very proud, hard-working man filled with strength, determination and courage. He left his home and family in The Netherlands to build a better life for him and his future family. He will be remembered for his Dutch accent, his great sense of humor, and that he was always ready for a good time with anyone he met. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing cards and his backyard fish pond. He also took pride in growing and selling his Christmas trees. Surviving are his five children: Josephine (and spouse Rick) Paczkowski, Warsaw; Cecilia (and spouse John) Thompson, Lucy (and spouse Jody) Davis, Rick (and spouse Kim) Eggink, all of Granger, and Pam (and spouse Phil) Hansing, Elkhart; six grandchildren: Jenny Mais, Tracy Vineis, Kim Hutt, Ben Davis, Nicole Davis and Ryan Thompson; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Alfons, New Zealand. Just three months ago, he lost his loving wife, Riek. He also was preceded in death by his parents, Hendrikus and Elizabeth Eggink; two brothers, Anthony and Harry; six sisters: Sister Elisia, Bertha, Sister Odile, Mies, Marie and Josefien. The Rev. Msgr. William Schooler will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger. Burial will follow the calling in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, with a rosary service beginning at 8 a.m.; and one hour prior to mass Saturday in the church. ***** Memorials to St. Joseph County Right to Life, 2004 Ironwood Circle #130, South Bend, IN 46635. To leave an online condolence or sign the guest book, visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.
