Mildred L. Szymczyk, age 91, of Escanaba, formerly of Chicago, passed away Friday, December 22, 2017 at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba.
Mildred was born September 27, 1926 in Huntingdon,TN, the daughter of George and Martha Alice (Arnold) Arnold. Mildred grew up in Tennessee with her 9 siblings before moving to Chicago and meeting her husband, Henry Szymczyk. Millie was a stay at home mother and devoted her life to raising her 7 children.
In 1991, Millie retired to Escanaba with her down syndrome son, John, where she devoted the remainder of her life to John’s care. Mildred was a devout Catholic and loved to attend mass with John and her many friends. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family when they came to visit.
In addition to her husband, Henry, Millie is survived by:
Children: Carol (Joseph) Kiernicki of Sheboygan,WI, Henry (Sandra) Simms of LockPort, IL., Susane (Anthony) Reitz of Shorewood, Il., James Szymczyk of Crest Hill,IL., MaryAlice (Sigmund) Nosalski of Evergreen Park, IL. and John Szymczyk of Gladstone, MI.
2 Brothers: George (Betty) Arnold and Willie (Jan) Arnold
2 Sisters: Covey (Bill) Flowers and Joyce Zimmerman
Grandchildren: Dawn Schmitz, James (Paula) Malanowski, Lyn Reitz, Chad Diaz, Christopher Reitz, Shonice Brown, Jeff Simms,Crystal (Brian)Lobianco, Estee (Dave) Mohrs, Jessica Heintz, Justin (Melissa) Simms, Travis Nosalski, JC Kiernicki, Ian Szymczyk, Geina(Brad)Sebak, Kimber Nosalski and Sharie (Scott) Schraub
Great Grandchildren: Michael Jr., Timothy, Christopher and Brittany Schmitz, James Jr., Cody, and Kaitlin Malanowski, Julia, Nick, Alex Brown and Lexis Simms, Annabelle, Landon and Caelyn Simms, Joey, Haley and Sara Wilbanks, Henry and Adeline Simms, Jack and Ashley Schraub, Alyssa, Anthony, Tegan and Payton Reitz, Tatum,Christopher and Madison Reitz, Max, Ariana and Carissa Diaz, Julieann Lobianco, Joshua Mohrs, Dominic Nava.
Great Great Grandchildren: Jack and Ella Schmitz, Norman Vereecki, Daylon and Taylor Martin, and Ellie Schraub
In addition to her Parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her Daughter, Cheryl Penson.
Family will receive friends Friday, December 29, 2017 at the Skradski Funeral Home in Escanaba from Noon until 3:00 PM. A funeral service will follow visiting hours at 3:00 PM with Rev. Fr. Emmett Norden officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Spring at Holy Cross Cemetery in Escanaba. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Szymczyk family.
Leeann - New Era, MI
I’m so sorry for the loss of Grandma Millie. She Lived a long loving life, taking care of her family and especially her special Johnny!! She is loved by many and will be missed!!! My heart goes out to all her family and especially her granddaughter Dawn who made her end of days special. <3 Love You!!!
Millie Mcnally - Rapid river, MI
Millie was a special lady. We loved visiting with her and john when they lived in Brampton, Michigan. We also attended Saint Josephs Catholic Church together and I asked her to be my son and my sponsor for Confirmation. She was so happy as she cried with joy. Millie picked me up several times in her van and we went to St Charles in Rapid River for Confirmation classes. I also visited her at Bishop Noa and pray for her often. Millie loved the catholic church and thats why I chose her to be our confirmation sponsor. She will be missed greatly but I know she is with Jesus now. She told me years ago that she wanted to see Jesus and that she was looking forward to it. How blessed she was and is to be with Our Lord for Christmas. God bless her and Mother Mary protect her until we meet again.
Rock Szymczyk - Crest Hill, IL
” Free at last ”
You finally get to see all the miracles you’ve waited for,
Answers to all that mystified you,
Are mysteries no more,
Your most eagerly awaited meetings already there to greet you,
Just when life thought it had beat you,
It had you prisoner by crippling your body and keeping you confined,
It held you for two years,
Then effortlessly you freed your mind,
Every promise now your will or whim to do with as you please,
Free again, To achieve all your dreams so long put on hold,
Now risen above this worlds burdens and needs,
Ills, cares, weariness, pain, heartache, disappointment,
And any other petty things,
Including growing old,
Tedious as it all has seemed,
Having served its purpose it has its end,
Awake now, you find where you begin,
Far beyond the reach of cruel words,
Nothing can hurt nor block you,
Your eyes can truly see,
All of your moments,
Added up to what you were meant to be,
Smoothly you crossed over,
Confident of nothing left undone,
No need to look back,
You know that you have won,