Celia Clara (Mlynarchek) Cisler 88, of Middleville, a 1949 graduate of Wayland High School, died Tuesday morning, Aug. 6.
Celia was born November 26, 1930 on the family farm at the corner of 129th Avenue and Patterson Road. She was the 11th of 13 children born to Andrew and Anna Mlynarchek, Slovakian immigrants who settled in the United States in the early 1900s.
Celia’s young life was spent centered around her family, the farm and their church, Saints Cyril & Methodious, where her parents were founding members. Celia attended the Robbins School at Gun Lake with her siblings and neighbors and then Wayland Schools.
Celia worked different jobs around Middleville, Wayland and Grand Rapids. At one point she moved into Grand Rapids and lived with one of her older sisters and a friend. She later was an assembly worker for more than 30 years at Bradford White Corporation in Middleville. Celia met her future husband Paul in the 1950s while working at Middleville Engineering. They were married on June 26, 1954, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church.
Paul and Celia raised three children in Middleville and on Gun Lake. Celia was a hard worker and loved to shop, especially in her retirement years. She enjoyed canning and freezing fruits and vegetables also said to to make the best cabbage rolls and bacon and cabbage dumplings around. Celia’s life was dedicated to her family.
Celia also took great pride in her home at 421 W. Thornton St. in Middleville she and Paul built and moved into around 1957. She lived there more than 62 years and was the last of the street’s original residents.
Celia is survived by her three children; Mark (Judy) Cisler of Kentwood, Doug (Mary) Cisler of Woodland and Sandra (Jim) Gray of Charlotte, NC. Four grandchildren Patrick (Debbie) Cisler, Ashley (Matt) Ransom, Anna (Matt) Karolionok and Michael (Rachel) Gray and great grandchildren John, Maverick, Kaylin Mae, Adrian and Emery. Along with her immediate family Celia is survived by her brother Edward Mlynarchek, and sisters Dorothy Tolan and Frances Mlynarchek and sister in law Mary Rider, along with many nieces and nephews.
Celia was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Anna Mlynarchek. Her husband D. Paul Cisler. She was also preceded in death by her brothers; Andrew Mlynarchek Jr, Joseph Mlynarchek, Frank Mlynarchek and Charles Mlynarchek and sisters, Annie Hastidt, Mary Cisler, Sister Dianna Mlynarchek, Agnes Hawthorne, Helen Napper, and great grandson Maxin Brewer Ransom.
Honoring Celia’s request, cremation has taken place. The family will gather for a celebration of Celia’s life at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday Aug. 16. There will be a visitation before the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial, a committal service will follow immediately in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make donations and memorials to Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church’s Christian Education Scholarship.
