Florence "Mary" Schalkle Michel

She was born April 15, 1923 in Redfield, SD, the daughter of Florence and Henry Schalkle. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1941 and South Dakota State College in 1945 where she majored in Home Economics and minored in Chemistry. She taught those two subjects during 1945-46 at Tyndall High in South Dakota.

On May 29, 1946, she married Burlyn Everett Michel and moved to Chicago, IL, where he attended the University of Chicago. Prior to the birth of her first child she worked at Swift & Co. testing shortening. Following that birth, she became a full-time mother. Mary enjoyed sewing (making many of her own and her children’s clothes), knitting, crocheting, macrame`, quilting, baking, gardening, exercising, hiking, canoeing, traveling, cruising and ballroom, square, round and line dancing. Mary was always an active church member—prior to marriage as an Episcopalian—then a United Methodist.

After moving to Athens in 1958, she joined Athens First United Methodist Church and its Fellowship Class and United Methodist Women. She served the latter two in various offices. Later, she became active in the Senior Fun Group. Mary participated in three mission trips to Costa Rica, one to Jamaica and one to Mexico. She was a member of the University of Georgia Women’s Club and had been a Girl Scout Troop Leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother. For several years she delivered Meals on Wheels one day a week.

She is survived by her husband; three children: Linda (Jack) Fountain, Douglas (Diana) and Donald (Debbie) Michel; eight grandchildren: Jacqueline and Caroline Fountain, Katherine (Blake) Matheny, Jordan (Donnice) Michel, Emily (Drew) Jacoy, and Jennifer, Jessica and Rebecca Michel; three great-granddaughters: Adelyn and Evelyn Michel and Daisy Jacoy.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m. at Athens First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30601, would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.