Bernice Mae Swartzel, more affectionately known as “Candy” to her friends, has gone home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born March 28, 1943, in Canton IL to Doris and Lawrence Tarr.
Those that didn’t call her Candy called her Mom. She was the neighborhood babysitter and treated everyone’s children like her own. She had a very loving caring way about her that made people cling to her. Through the years she had more children call her mom than one could count.
As her children became independent, she began driving school buses. Driving is where she found pleasure. Children on her bus routes instinctively loved her. Whether it was the small treats that she would give them or a gentle smile or just a kind word she had their attention. They treated her with respect and admiration.
After years of driving school buses, she drove for what was once called TRT, now HRT. That is where she played match maker. At least 6 people met and got married because of her. And 4 of them made it until death do they part. She had a solid gut instinct!
She left TRT and moved to Drakes Branch to try her hand at raising ostrich, emu, and rhea.
However, this is not where her heart was. The road was calling her.
On the road she went driving big rigs. She did some East Coast driving, some cross country driving then went dedicated to Dollar General. She loved driving, just not in New York. She was happy to go almost anywhere. She received several awards for her outstanding safety record.
She finally retired to spend her “golden” years quietly with her husband Leroy.
They took a cross country road trip to visit family. They set sail on a cruise to the Bahamas and seen their youngest grandson get married in the mountains. Leroy preceded her in death March 3, 2023.
Candy’s life was a testament to unwavering commitment to family marked by her remarkable love and devotion to her children. Left to cherish her memories are her children; Rebecca Velez (David Wilson), Ronald Spelman (Vicky), Renee Waters (Jerry) and
Roberta Thomas; her grandchildren Christopher Velez (Christina), Brandi Velez, Romulus Velez (Summer), Hailey Spelman, Aaron Waters (Alexis), Amanda Waters (Roland Valdez) Christina Lathrop (Cody), Ryann Stancil (Devin) and Sara Roediger; and her great grandchildren Jamie Velez, Brooklyn Valdez, Eli Valdez, Levi Valdez, Bronx Valdez, Caleb Thomas, Conner Lathrop, Caleigh Lathrop, Rylee Stancil, and Addisyn Stancil. She is also survived by her sister Janice Seiling (Don) and a host of nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the nurses that treated Mom with great care and respect; Hayley Grey, David Miller, Wanda Dandridge, and April, and special appreciation to Rebekah Dyer for all her support for the family during the last two years. And a very special thank you to Stephen for not only being a wonderful caregiver and friend to Candy but also to Leroy. They both loved you dearly. Services will be held 2:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Chapel Saturday December 9, 2023, followed by a reception at her home. Wood Funeral Service is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed at www.woodfuneralservice.com