Mertie Michelfelder

Mertie Belle Michelfelder was a woman who learned many of life's lessons through the challenges she faced, developing perseverance and strength of character. She liked being around people and was pleased when she was able to help them. Mertie loved her family dearly and found joy in spending time with them. In October of 1929, the stock market in the United States crashed, signaling the beginning of the Great Depression. The Depression meant hard times for virtually everyone, lasting for over a decade, and the Hedlesky family was no exception. Despite the economic challenges, however, Alex and Dorothy (Pepper) Hedlesky were pleased to welcome their first child into the world when Mertie was born on October 19, 1932. A short time later, Mertie moved to the Ypsilanti area, learning at a young age how to raise rabbits and chickens that she sold to Haab's, a relatively new restaurant downtown. Mertie was the oldest in a family of five children, and she learned responsibility and hard work while keeping an eye out for her brother and sisters.Mertie was only ten years old when she heard the frightening news that the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, had been attacked. Although she was not quite old enough to understand all the ramifications of that event, she doubtless sensed the fear and tension among the grown-ups and rejoiced with the rest of the nation four years later when World War II was finally over. As a teenager, Mertie attended Ann Arbor High School and graduated with the class of 1951. She decided to continue her education and stayed close to home, attending Michigan State Normal College, now known as Eastern Michigan University. Mertie worked hard and was able to juggle her classes as well as time with her boyfriend, Frank Michelfelder. She and Frank married on October 25, 1954, and Mertie graduated the following spring with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mertie and Frank established their home together and eventually shared five children. Mertie took great pride and pleasure in each one. Their bustling house was filled with the sounds of laughter, sibling squabbles, games, and sometimes tears. They were active, and the family took advantage of Michigan winters by snowmobiling. The lakeshore was the place to go in the summer, and they enjoyed camping and boating together. Since many of her favorite activities could be done in and around Michigan, Mertie never felt the need to travel far from home. Her favorite place on earth, in fact, was her aunt and uncle's home in East Jordan. In 1974, however, she took an opportunity to travel to Hawaii, making her first trip ever in an airplane. The scenery as well as the plant and animal life, so different from what she saw at home, was remarkable.In 1979, Mertie and Frank divorced. Mertie stayed busy with a variety of activities. Her faith was important to her and she was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor, teaching Sunday School there for twenty years. She also participated in a bowling league and made some good friends. For her fiftieth birthday in 1982, her league threw her a surprise party complete with a male dancer. Mertie found a job at the Ann Arbor Meijer working at the service desk. She enjoyed being able to help people as well as the opportunity to interact with others. She stayed there for ten years until her retirement in October of 2002.Naturally, the challenge of a long-term illness was quite taxing on Mertie. She was grateful that she didn't have to endure it alone. The many hours that her sister Dorothy devoted to her to help her cope were of immeasurable worth to Mertie. They talked and laughed and sometimes cried, scoping out garage sales and just being together. Mertie also found great comfort in her furry friends, doting on her pets as though they were children. Her dogs, Dagmar and Popper, and her beloved cat Gus gave her something else to think about and she loved showering them with attention. Nothing brought her heart as much joy as her family. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and she loved seeing their faces light up when they had some exciting accomplishment to share with her. She was particularly proud when her granddaughter Leah graduated from college. Her time with them was precious and she looked forward to visits with them. Mertie Belle went to the Lord May 1, 2005, after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her five children; Viccie (David) Boeckel, Terri (Harold) Burns, Richard Michelfelder, Gary Michelfelder, and AJ Michelfelder; eight grandchildren, Robert and Heather Boeckel, Leah (Travis) Duby and Frank Burns, Gary and Jacqueline Michelfelder, and Brittany Michelfelder; and great grandchildren Nicholas and Heaven. Her sisters, Dorothy Towler, Katherine (Carl) White, and Nancy (Bud) Porterfield, brother John Hedlesky, and her aunt and uncle, Frieda and Lloyd Kingsbury also survive, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Frank and her grandson Michael Boeckel. The family will receive friends at the Nie Life Story Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Road, on Wednesday, May 4, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Medical Intensive Care Unit Nursing Staff, 5301 E. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Please visit Mertie's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, sign the guest book, or read her life story.