Those who knew Wilnella May Bush of Tecumseh, Mich., knew music was part of her soul. Her song began with her birth in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 8, 1935, to the late Frederic and Mary Ethel (Berghorn) Hornberger. She was the oldest of their four children.
Her love of music was expressed through piano, organ, and choral music. Wilnella’s musical education culminated in her studies at the University of Michigan where she received a Master of Music degree. Over the years, she gave many performances on the organ, which often were designed to educate people on the organ as well as provide them with a virtuoso performance.
Teaching and supporting others on their musical journey were very important to Wilnella. Students at Britton-Macon Area Schools and Adrian College were the beneficiaries of Wilnella’s understanding and enthusiasm for music. Whether it was presenting an operetta, teaching piano and organ, or accompanying their song, Wilnella focused on the positive and was encouraging to each student.
In addition to her work as a music teacher and assistant professor of music, Wilnella had been a musician for Tecumseh United Methodist Church for over 65 years, where she played organ and piano every Sunday and was director of the choir.
Love for music was a family affair. The joy of music was shared by her husband L. Donald Bush during their nearly 60 years of marriage and was passed down to their daughter Sarah and their beloved granddaughters, Joanna and Emily Berriman. Wilnella also shared a mutual admiration for each other’s musical talents with son-in-law, Dave. If there was anything that rivaled her love for music, it was Wilnella’s love for her granddaughters, family, and friends.
She was not born a farm girl, but Wilnella loved living in the country. It was a blessing for Wilnella that her song ended on the farm almost exactly seven years after her beloved Don died.
Her musical legacy lives on through her family who loved her so deeply, daughter Sarah (Dave) Berriman of Livonia, grandchildren Joanna and Emily Berriman of Livonia; sister Sue (Russ) Nye of Livonia, brother Paul (Judy) Hornberger of Sterling Heights and sister-in-law, Sue Hornberger of Queen Creek, Ariz.
In addition to her husband and parents, Wilnella was preceded in death by her brother, John Hornberger.
Visitation for Wilnella is 4-7 p.m., Thursday, March 26, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Jodi Cartwright and retired Pastor Evans C. Bentley, will be Friday, March 27, 11 a.m. at Tecumseh United Methodist Church, with an hour of visitation preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wilnella’s honor may be made to the Tecumseh United Methodist Church or to the Lenawee County Department on Aging. And, in honor of Wilnella, let your heart be lifted by music today and every day.