Beryle Beth Silvernale of Bradenton Fl, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday June 15, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Muriel Burns, her husband Dewain Silvernale, her brothers Robert and Todd Burns and her step-granddaughter Taylor Elzey.
She is survived by her brother Thomas Burns and her sister MiMi Sackett, Her children Troy (Katie) Silvernale, Tami (Lee) Milnickel, Todd (Jill) Silvernale, Her grandchildren, Matthew Milnickel, Bethany (Nate) Metz, Evan, Luke, TJ and Levi Silvernale, Her step granddaughters Joanie (Johnnie) Shaffer and Brooke Elzey, great-grandchildren Autumn Milnickel-Williams, Cameron Metz and Noah Blevins-Milnickel, step-great-grandchildren Josie Nevins, Drake Nevins, Lilly Metz, Blake and Evan Bonczkowski and sisters-in-law (Joanne Straub, Carol Syring, Bev Snable, Dawn Johansen) on the Silvernale side and many nieces and nephews from both the Burns and Silvernale families.
Beryle was born in Chicago, IL and moved to St. Charles, MI as a child. She graduated from St Charles high school and attended Andrew University but then finished her college education at Hinsdale Nursing School in the Chicago area. She returned to Michigan after graduating and worked at Saginaw General Hospital. It was there that she met a dashing young intern named Dewain - and that romance lead to a marriage of 44 years until Dewain's passing in 2007. They spent several years as missionaries with the Wesleyan mission on the island of LaGonave inHaiti as well as a stint in the capital of Port-au-Prince with International Child Care at Grace Children's Hospital.
Beryle had a great love for the country and people of Haiti. She remained connected to the country over the years via mission trips and service on boards of organizations that serve there. Two highlights were being part of a mission team that went to Port-au-Prince in January of 2010 after the devastating earthquake. In 2016 - she was fortunate to be able to travel back to Haiti with Troy and his family. They visited both Grace Childrens Hospital and L'Hopital Wesleyan on La Gonave and saw many old friends.
While nursing was a constant in her adult life, she completed an MSW with a focus on family counseling. She maintained a private counseling practice for many years and later worked in the Dowagiac school system as a counselor.
She was a great host and the Silvernale house on Indian Lake was always a focal point for activity. There were many who made great memories there. Some include: Silvernale and Burns family reunions, many friends, youth group activities and college friends of Troy and Todd. Beryle was known to say "this is not really our house, it's God's, so we need to share it …"
While she accomplished much professionally and lived overseas for many years, she really was not a complicated person. She enjoyed friendships, sitting and talking and just being with family. Her faith was deeply rooted and a guide to her through life. Beryle was a strong influence on many lives. Through her love, firm direction, faith and common sense advice, she helped mold the character of 3 generations of her own family and many other lives that crossed her path. She will be missed from coast to coast, North to South in the USA and many places all over the world.
A memorial service will be held on July 6, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac, Mi, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, Mi 49047, Visitation will be at the church from 11:30am -12:30pm, Memorial service 12:30 pm.
Memorials: Dr. Dew Project c/o FUMC, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, MI 49047; Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton Hospice House, 2504 34th Ave W, Bradenton, FL. 34205
