Bernice (Bonds) Rodriguez, 59, of Elkhart passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Riverside Village in Elkhart.

Bernice was born on July 26, 1958 in Elkhart, Indiana to the late James and Dora (Blount) Bonds.  Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Joseph and James E. Bonds.

Surviving are her daughter, Sharita Onugha and her daughter, Trinity; a son, Curtis Bonds and his children; Calvin, Laniya, Rasheek, Kobe, Maleek, Kaleel, Jaquan and Kyrie and her love, Isadore Smith.  Also surviving are three sisters, Eddie Mae Bennett, Ora Bonds, Carolyn Graham and two Merlin Stallings, Bobby James Bynum.

Bernice was known throughout her neighborhood as "The Candy Lady".  Sometimes, she would ride around on her bike, giving out candy to the children and other times, they would stop by her house and fill up their bags with candy for only one penny!  A lover of people, she would always have a smile for everyone, even people she just met.

Visitation for Bernice will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the memorial service at 2:00 p.m., all at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  Her body has been cremated.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bernice can be made to the charity of one's choice.