Mildred C Wake

Longtime resident of the Inland Valley, Mildred “Millie” Cline Wake, died peacefully December 28, 2019 in Claremont, California. Six months prior to her death, Millie’s family and friends had gathered at Claremont Manor to celebrate her one hundredth birthday. She enjoyed this celebration very much.

Millie was born on July 4, 1919 in Los Angeles, the fourth and youngest child of James and Siddie Cline. Following her father’s retirement from the Los Angeles Police Department, her family moved to Ontario, CA. Millie graduated from both Chaffey High School and Chaffey Junior College. She received a BA in English and Library Science from San Jose State University in 1942. While she was in San Jose, she met her future husband, Don Wake, on a blind date on Valentine’s Day in 1942. Millie and Don were married in December 1943. Their marriage lasted over 66 years until Don’s death in March 2010.

Millie worked as a librarian at the Ontario Public Library during Don’s wartime service in the Army Air Corps and the post-war years in which he prepared for and attended medical school. Her lifelong love of books and reading later led Millie and 9 other friends to open and operate for several years a bookstore in downtown Upland called “The Bookworm of Upland.”

Don and Millie lived in the Upland area for over 50 years, where Don had his medical practice. They raised four girls (Donna, Marilee, Holly and Tracey). Millie actively volunteered in community organizations including the Methodist Church of Upland; the San Antonio Hospital Auxiliary; the Assistance League; the National Charity League and the PTA, taking leadership positions in many of them.

Millie lived the final decade of her life at Claremont Manor. She volunteered in the library and on the Food Committee. A self-described “bridge nut”, she played in many groups over the years until her failing eye sight put an end to it.Millie was a devoted wife, a loving parent, an interested and doting grandparent and an unfailingly gracious and always kind person. She made the world a better place.

Millie is survived by: her daughters — Donna Wilson (Tom); Marilee Binnquist (David); Holly Shinoff and Tracey Wake (Bill Petrick) — her grandchildren — Katie Golding (Chris); Mike Wilson (Scott Gregory); Sandy Sonke; Steven Binnquist (Kayla) — and her great grandchildren: Cole & Anabel Sonke; Oliver & Maggie Binnquist; and Henry Golding.

She was Proceeded in death by her husband, Donald K. Wake; her parents Siddie Lewis Cline & James Winford Cline; her siblings Harold Cline (Mable), Ruth Cline, Margaret C. Cope (James) and Son-in-law Joby Shinoff. Grandson-in-law Marty Sonke passed away 6 days later on 1/3/2020.

A Celebration of Life service for Millie will be held on Feb. 1, at 1:00 PM at Claremont Manor. Address: 650 W. Harrison Street, Claremont, CA 91711. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in her name to the Braille Institute, YWAM or charity of your choice.