William "Bill" J. Mahler

William (Bill) Mahler was born on August 24, 1926 to William John and Ida (Balzerick) Mahler in Goodfarm Township, Illinois, and died June 19, 2015. His childhood was shared in a small farmhouse with nine sisters and two brothers with whom he remained close throughout his life. His education began walking several miles through the countryside to a one-room schoolhouse where Edna Mae Vitco was his only teacher for eight years. After high school graduation in 1944, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp’s cadet training program. Shortly thereafter it closed and he was sent to flight mechanics school and then to Germany. After his military discharge, he attended and graduated with a degree in Science Education from the University of Michigan where he met his sweetheart and future wife of 64 years, Marguerite (Arozian) Mahler. They married and lovingly raised three children: Marian (Bart Reiter), David (Valerie Nimtz), Stephen (Brenda Conoway). Bill earned post-graduate degrees at Michigan State and Wayne State Universities and worked 35 years as a teacher and Math and Science Department Head in the Detroit Public Schools. His last 17 years were spent at Ludington Middle School, a Magnet Middle School he helped design and found in 1970 when Detroit was under federal court order to create eight regional racially balanced Magnet Middle Schools within the city. Bill’s belief in the potential of young people, the value of education, and progressive Christian theology were central to his life and career. In retirement he and Marguerite moved to East Lansing, where he enjoyed traveling to Elderhostel educational programs, attending performances at the Wharton Center, following collegiate sports and the Tigers, and most of all, doting on his beloved grandchildren Hans and Lorna Mahler, Eva Reiter, Coleman and Jesse Mahler. He now has two very new great-grandchildren, Preston who keeps everyone smiling, and Kenslee, born to Hans and Katie on June 23rd. For 11 years he volunteered as a reader for a Sparrow Hospital staff member, served as an adult reading tutor for Capital Area Literacy Coalition, helped at the Greater Lansing Food Bank and delivered mobile meals for Sparrow Hospital. Because of his complex medical history he volunteered to be a “model patient” for second year students in MSU’s College of Human Medicine. He was actively involved in many programs at Edgewood United Church, including the Church Council. Bill’s love of life and positive outlook and his journey of generosity, love and learning will continue on in the fond memories of his family and friends. A memorial service will be held on July 25 at 11 AM at Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI. Gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to Edgewood United Church or Sparrow Hospice House. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman East Lansing. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.