Obituary: Bernita Mary “Bud” Aiuto

Bernita Mary “Bud” Aiuto (1929 – 2017)

Bernita Mary “Bud” Aiuto, of Manchester, Michigan, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 14, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on December 14, 1929, in Petersburg, Nebraska, the daughter of George and Lena (Zitariuc) Coval. Bernita had lived in the area since 1936 and was a life member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Manchester. She was retired from Ford Motor Company in Saline and also sold Avon. She enjoyed reading, going to garage sales, and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Her many activities included yoga, line dancing, Curves, and going for walks. She was a very prayerful person and was often called upon by others for prayers. Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life.

On May 30, 1953, she married Russell J. Aiuto Sr. in Manchester, and he survives. Also surviving are her children: Kathleen (Chuck) Cornell of Manchester, Russell Aiuto Jr. of Manchester, Lorraine (Paul) Meinhart of Bloomfield Hills, and Nicholas (Teri) Aiuto of Manchester; her grandchildren: Amy (Phil), Megan (Steve), Leigh (Jason), Lauren (Scott), Nicholas (Julia), Michelle (Nick), Melanie, Bryce, and Trent; one great-grandchild, Morgan, with two more on the way; her siblings: Victor Coval of Ann Arbor, Herman (Maryann) Coval of Ann Arbor, and Eleanore (James) Hodges of Ann Arbor; several nieces and nephews; and her “other kids,” Scott and Lisa Poet of Manchester. She was preceded in death by five brothers: Mike, Leo, George, John, and William Coval, and two sisters, Josephine Budlong and Wilma Musolf. A special thank you to all the caring and compassionate caregivers.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Manchester. Visitation on Thursday, Aug 10th from 5 to 8 pm with rosary at 7 pm at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. Mass on Friday, August 11 at 10:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester with visitation an hour before mass from 9:30 – 10:30 am.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.