Bernis Edwin Schug

Schug, Bernis E. Schoolcraft, Michigan Bernis (Bernie) Edwin Schug, age 68, of Schoolcraft passed away peacefully at his family farm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bernie was born November 17, 1944 in Vicksburg, the son of Hazel (Fox) and Bernard Schug. Bernie grew up on a farm west of Schoolcraft where he lived for 65 years of his life. Bernie began his career as a farmer by helping his father farm. Bernie started farming full-time in 1963. Bernie started with a mere 250 acres and over time and lots of hard work, grew his family farm over 2,500 acres. Bernie's children are the fourth generation in involved in agriculture. His children Jennifer and Jason run the family farm, while Missy has carried on the family farming tradition by working in the industry side of agriculture. Bernie was innovative in his farming practices. While farming, Bernie and neighboring farmer put up the first irrigation on the Schoolcraft prairie. He added irrigation to all of his land, field by field, until everything was watered but a few dry corners. He also built a large state-of-the-art hog facility to contract finish pigs, which was one of the first of its kind, in the area (back in the day.) Bernie worked with countless teenagers detasseling seed corn and maintained lasting relationships with many of them. He worked for many years on Prairie Ronde Township's review board, and served for eight years on the Schoolcraft school board, where he proudly handed all three of his children their high school diplomas. Bernie was always involved with many small projects for the village, like hauling snow with his heavy equipment during winter storms. Bernie enjoyed growing up in a small town. He was very proud of his school and town. Bernie attended Schoolcraft schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1962. While in high school he played four different sports and was all-league in football for two years. Always a leader in his class, he was elected class president in every grade and was a friend who could always be counted on. As a youth Bernie joined the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. When Bernie wasn't working, he enjoyed sports, watching his children and most of all his grandchildren. He immensely enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Fishing was a favorite pastime with his grandson, while shopping was his hobby with his granddaughter. In general, he enjoyed watching them grow into well rounded children. In retirement, Bernie took great pleasure in passing time at local coffee shops and watering holes with his buddies. Bernie is survived by his children: Jennifer Gottschalk (Joel), Missy (Jim) Bishop and Jason Schug; his grandchildren: Jadyn and Payton Gottschalk, Morgan and Collin Pace, as well as several cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Norene Schug. Bernie was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. Friends may visit with the family from 10-11 am Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church, 342 North Grand Street. Funeral Services are to start at 11 am and a luncheon will immediately follow the funeral services at the Plumbers & Pipefitters 357 Union Hall located at 11847 Shaver Road, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. Private family interment will to occur at the Schoolcraft Cemetery at a later date. Funeral arrangements are with Avink Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand Street, Schoolcraft, Michigan. The family asks for memorial gifts to be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan or to the Schug Memorial College Scholarship Fund.