Mary Mieras

Mary Catherine Mieras was a devoted mother and adoring grandmother, who delighted her family with her quick wit and sense of adventure. She was ready for anything and took life with ease and good humor. Always there for her children and eager to spend time with her grandchildren, Mary modeled a life of love, commitment and joy.

Mary Catherine was born on May 2, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at a time when families were trying to make life pleasant in the midst of difficult conditions. The daughter of Henry and Anna (Burns) Belile, Mary Catherine came of age during the Great Depression when money and jobs were scarce but people were resilient. She was her daddy’s little girl among two older brothers, until the births of two more brothers and two younger sisters. Together they enjoyed a robust childhood of outdoor play in the neighborhood of North Street NE. However, because she was the oldest daughter, Mary was responsible for a number of indoor tasks that she did alongside her mother.

Mary attended St. Alphonsus Catholic elementary school and graduated from Catholic Central High School. By then, she had already set her sights on a young man whom she first saw a Creston Movie Theater when she was 15 years old. Richard "Jim" Mieras was a few years older than she, so it took him a while to turn his attention to a young girl who was determined to get noticed. Eventually Jim asked Mary out and they dated for several years before he went into military service.

Upon his discharge, Jim and Mary were married on April 11, 1957. They chose to hold the ceremony at his parents’ home, since she was Catholic and he was Protestant. Still, despite the religious differences, the families were very supportive of their union. Each was adored by the other’s parents. Later, Mary assisted her mother-in-law by providing transportation to and from many weekly activities

In her working life, Mary started at a candy store before taking a job at Bissell, manufacturing vacuum cleaners. She worked there until she began to raise a family of three children: Bill, Von and Myra. In time, she went to work for Atlantic Mills Department Store and Arlans Department Store before returning to Bissell in the early 1960's. Being the social person that she was, Mary liked going to work in part because of the people there. She made many friends over the years, until her retirement at age 60.

Throughout her career, Mary most often worked second shift and Jim first shift, so that one of them was always available to their children. It was an arrangement they had because of the commitment they made to put family first. They made it work with the cooperation of their kids, who learned that it was their responsibility to pick up after themselves. In the summer, they also helped with canning of fruits and vegetables from Mary’s beloved garden. The household developed a pattern of Jim doing most of the cooking and Mary doing the organizing around the house and keeping the family in baked goods. Baking was her forte’ and she did it with joy, especially around the holidays when she made cookies and fudge to give away to family and friends. Amazingly, Mary still found time to tend her flower garden and to sew. She made many of her own clothes as well as gifts for her children and, later, her grandchildren.

Much of the Mieras’ social life revolved around their families. For years, they gathered weekly to visit one another, and in summertime, they regularly got together at Little Muskegon River. Life changed drastically when Jim suddenly passed away in 1980. With family close by making sure she wasn’t alone, Mary was well cared for and deeply loved. She began spending weekends near her parents and sister in Morley and attended church with them in Howard City. Because she had always been independent, Mary persevered and lived her life to the fullest.

Retirement afforded Mary significantly more time for travel and fun. She always enjoyed the slots and trying for a big lottery win. She visited Europe, Alaska, Canada and several places around the U.S., each time with a family member. She liked each place she went because they were so different from each other, but most of all she liked the company she kept. That’s why one of her favorite vacation spots was Whiskey Creek, where she camped with her children and grandchildren. Mary looked forward to the annual “girls’ week” and any chance she got to go golfing. At one time in her life, she was golfing nearly every day—sometimes with the Bissell league and other times with friends or her grandchildren. Mary had always babysat her grandkids, but not only did she look after them, she also entertained them. She took them golfing, out to eat and to amusement parks, thereby earning the reputation as a “cool” grandma. In fact, she joined right in when they rode the enormous free-fall swing—Xtreme Skyflyer—at Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto. Truth be told, Mary was as eager to hang out with her grandkids as they were to join her in whatever adventure awaited them.

Sadly, within the past eight years, Mary began to suffer from COPD and dementia. But with the help of family and friends, she was able to remain in her own home. She passed away Monday, June 9, 2014 at the age of 80. Mary will be remembered for the wonderful example of motherhood that she set for her children and grandchildren. By their own words, “she was the best mom.”

Mrs. Mary Catherine Mieras, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was preceded in death by her husband, Richard "Jim" Mieras in 1980. Mary is survived by her children Bill & Kris Mieras, Von & Claude Dulyea, and Myra Mieras; grandchildren James Mieras, Becki & Brett Wittner, Scott Mieras, Erik Dulyea, Deanna Dulyea; great grandchildren Gabbie, Jasmine, Trinity and Justin Carter, Rylee and Presley Wittner; brother, Tom Belile; sister, June (Jim) McKenzie; and sisters-in-law Marilyn Sweers and Judy Belile; many nieces and nephews; as well as her special friends Sara Schmuck and Stacy Mitchell. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 12 at 12:30 PM at St. Alphonsus Church, 224 Carrier NE. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday from 6-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE and on Thursday at church from 11:30 AM until the time of the service. Please consider a memorial donation to either the American Cancer Society, St. Alphonsus Church or Bissell Pet Foundation. To read more about Mary's life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com.