BESSEMER, Mich. – Beulah Mae "Bootsie" Banfield, 84, of Bessemer, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015.

Bootsie was born on Dec. 12, 1930, in Hardwood, a daughter of Carl and Lena (Rudolph) Peronto. She attended Iron Mountain High School and graduated in 1948.

On Dec. 15, 1951, Beulah was united in marriage to Douglas Raymond Banfield. With Doug serving in the U.S. Navy, they made their home in many parts of the United States and in Spain for two years.


She was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and retired from the Eagar, Ariz. office.

Bootsie and Douglas relocated to Bessemer in the late 1980's to enjoy their retirement.


She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Bootsie leaves behind to cherish her memory a sister, Billie Jean (Dick) Bscherer, of Milwaukee; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Clement, of Rhode Island; her brother-in-law, Howard Niemi, of Wakefield; numerous nieces and nephews, including two special nieces, Alice (David) Manki, of Hurley, Wis., and Carmen (Donald) Mussatti, of Bessemer; many cousins; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Douglas, on June 19, 1999; seven sisters, Fay, Vivian, Carmen, Dorothy, Phyliss, Christine and Edna; and two brothers, Byron Clement and Marcel Peronto.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9 a.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield, with President Brent Couperus officiating.

Committal services and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Online condolences may be made to lakesidememorialchapel.com.