Mildred A. Mapes' Obituary
Mrs. Mildred A. (Wood) Mapes, 82, died Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2004. She was born May 28, 1922 in Detroit, the daughter of Rolla and Alma (Lindback) Wood. Mildred moved to Muskegon when she was a young girl following the death of her mother. She graduated from Muskegon High School in 1941 and spent several years working in the area before marrying Ralph W. Mapes on June 18, 1949 in South Bend, Indiana. Following their marriage, Ralph and Mildred returned to Muskegon where she worked for 14 years as a clerk and executive secretary for Grand Truck Railroad’s Marine Division. Mildred’s family was her greatest source of pride. She delighted in the accomplishments of her three sons and six grandchildren and offered all of them her unconditional love and support no matter what the endeavor. Mildred worked hard to make any family gathering a special occasion, but her favorite event was always Christmas Eve dinner. For more than 25 years, Mildred played hostess on December 24 to an ever growing, ever changing family. While everyone could not always attend, the one constant was Mildred with her Christmas angel pinned to her shoulder. To her family, that’s what Mildred was — an angel that sits on your shoulder offering comfort, support, advice and love. Even when she wasn’t physically present, her children and grandchildren knew she was present in spirit. Mildred was a kind and gentle soul who touched the lives of so many people in a multitude of ways. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. Mildred is survived by her husband, three sons, David R (Mary) of East Grand Rapids, Michael R. (Charlotte) of Fairfax Station, Va., Brian F. (Debra) of Kalamazoo, six grandchildren Jamie L. (Brian) Farber of Grand Rapids, Sarah B. of Chicago, Jenny R. of Chicago, Jeffrey D. of East Lansing, Laura M. of Fairfax Station, Va., Amy M. of Fairfax Station, Va., special friend Lynn Mapes of Grand Rapids and life long friend Elsie Pitts of Muskegon. The family will greet friends at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church on Friday, October 8, 2004 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Fr. Joseph Ashby presiding. The family suggests memorials be sent to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church or the American Diabetes Association. Funeral arrangements are being handled by The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., (231) 759-8565. Family and friends may sign the guest book on-line at www.sytsemafh.com
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