Frances A. Mielke

Frances’s life began May 1, 1918 in South Bend, the daughter of Charles and Lola (Koontz) Rank. She was united in marriage to Forest Gardner and later to Paul Mielke, both precede her in death. Frances worked at James Heddon and Sons for 37 years as a fishing rod winder. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dowagiac. Frances loved to bake, crochet and enjoyed playing cards. Her loving family includes children Karen Ledwell of Eau Claire, Marion (Michael) Shepherd of Anderson, IN, Marlin Gardner of Dowagiac, 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 16 great great grandchildren, one sister Deanna Adams and sister in law Barbara Rank, both of Kingsford, MI. Frances passed away on Saturday June 29, 2013 at Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital. She is preceded in death by two husbands, son Terry Mielke, sister Dorothy Stamp, brothers Glen, Charles, Clyde, Clinton and Raymond Rank. Her family will gather with friends on Wednesday from 10 -11 a.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel where her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Frances at www.yazel-clark.com.