June Mendel

Although she accomplished so much of which to be proud, there was nothing of greater value in June Mendel’s life than the love she had for both her Lord and her family. She was gracious and generous to so many others, her touch blessing numerous people within her reach. June was a devoted mother who was overjoyed to witness her family tree blossom to include the grandsons she treasured more than anything on this side of heaven. June saw so many of the most beautiful places the world has to offer, but it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she found true happiness. Although life will never be the same without June here, the memories she leaves behind will be forever cherished by her friends and loved ones.

The early part of the 1940s were defined by our nation’s involvement in WWII overseas. Countless young Americans were fighting for the preservation of our freedom while those who remained stateside became familiar with rationing on common goods such as rubber, paper, coffee, and sugar. It was during this eventful time that a young couple from the far West side of Detroit was blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on October 20, 1942. June Barbara was born to her parents, Fred and Bertha (Timm) Weidman, when they were a bit older, which meant that she was the apple of their eye and a true delight to her grandparents and extended family as well. When she was four her sister, Sharon, completed their family of four.

June experienced a childhood that she always spoke fondly of. She was raised in a nice neighborhood, and summers were spent at her maternal grandparents‘ farm on Beaver Lake Road. June’s father worked at Chrysler while her mother focused her attention at home. During the war her father trained her mother to do precision welding. June and her sister were raised in a loving environment where the importance of education was stressed. The Weidmans were very involved in the church and spending time with extended family was also a regular occurrence. June’s father did some hunting, and her mother was an accomplished seamstress who passed her sewing, quilting, and knitting skills on to her daughters. June shared a birthday with her cousin, Evelyn, and a longterm friendship was established between June and Evelyn’s sister, Helen.

Throughout her life June had a thirst for knowledge. As a young girl she was an avid reader who was known to read through entire sections of books at her local library branch. June was a student at local schools where she was the co-editor of her high school yearbook. After graduating from Mackenzie High School in June of 1960, she went on to earn her B.S. from Central Michigan University and then went on to Western Michigan University where she received her Master’s Degree in Library Science. June also had a dual major in math and chemistry.

It was while at Western that June met the young man with whom she would write a love story that would span nearly 50 years. His name was Roger Mendel, and he proposed to her on their first date. The rest is history as June accepted his proposal, and they exchanged their vows on April 16, 1966, at Bethany Baptist Church in Detroit. Together they welcomed three children into their hearts and home: Julie, Spencer, and Jonathan. As a mother June was very nurturing and generous, and there was nothing that was more important to both June and Roger than their children whom they raised in eight different homes in Alpena. June also balanced motherhood with just the right amount of humor as she was known to say, “When pigs fly,” when her children wanted something that was never going to happen. June also taught her children that everything was always better at 50 percent off as she had a knack for finding the best treasures on the sale rack. June also made it seem effortless to find the perfect gift for her loved ones, which was almost always on sale as well.

In addition to caring for her family, June experienced great fulfillment in her chosen career. She served as director of the Alcona County Library from 1993 through 1996, and then also of the Presque Isle District Library from 1996 through 1998. In 1993, June was honored at the Loretta Fyan Small and Rural Libraries Conference for her exceptional work in automating the Alcona library and also establishing a public connection to the Internet there. From 1998 until she retired in 2009, June served as the assistant director of the Lapeer District Library. Together she and her husband worked to support libraries, and for several years they sponsored a state-wide award that honors libraries that provide exceptional customer service in Michigan.

A woman of many interests, June was always busy. She was an active member at various churches in Alpena and Flint. During her retirement years June was involved at Huron Shores Fellowship where she knitted shawls for the prayer shawl ministry. Her famous baby quilts continue to grace the beds of numerous friends and relatives, each with the child’s name and birthdate embroidered on the blanket. June and Roger loved traveling, and their destinations included places such as Europe, China, and several states throughout the United States in addition to 13 cruises of the Caribbean. For many years the Mendels traveled in a travel trailer. June would often say, “We live up North so when we camp we camp in big cities like D.C., Toronto, or Chicago.” Dogs always had a special place in her heart, and throughout her years whether it was Ginger growing up or Cindy later on while with Roger, she always had several dogs and cats. Even during the past year she was checking the advertisements in the news for dogs. As her friends and family can attest, June had quite an extensive collection of flamingoes.

June Mendel was a kindhearted and gentle woman whose greatest joy was found in both her faith and her family. She was never afraid of color or a bit of bling when it came time to get dressed in the morning, and June’s husband always appreciated her adventurous spirit and the way she was game to try just about anything. She was supportive of her family and content in whatever life brought. June will be deeply missed.

June Barbara Mendel died on Monday, May 13, 2013. June’s family includes her husband, Roger; three children, Julie Ann of Burton, MI, Spencer (Melissa) of Alpena, Jonathan (Cheryl) of Tipp City, OH; sister, Sharon (Gary) Snell of Strongsville, OH; four grandsons; Owen, Luke, Mark, Nathan; and nine nieces and nephews. June was preceded in death by her parents and niece, Bethany Jean Snell. Family and friends will gather on Thursday from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home – Alpena and on Friday, May 17, 2013, at Huron Shores Fellowship from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Memorials in June’s honor may be made to Huron Shores Fellowship or a Michigan public library of your choice. Please visit June’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or sign the on-line guest book.