Mildred Gruneisen

Mildred Elaine Gruneisen, 89, of Mansfield, died Thursday, March 6, 2008 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. Peace and rest are hers at last at her dear Savior's feet in her heavenly home. Mildred slipped quietly into eternity and into the presence of her God, into a light that knows no darkness and pleasure that knows no end. Born March 25, 1918 in Jackson Township near Shelby, she was the daughter of Ira and Myrtle McIntire Post. She attended a one-room schoolhouse which included all eight grades, walking a mile and a half to and from in autumn, winter and spring. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1936. In her early years, jobs were scarce so Mildred took a job as nanny to a newborn in Toledo, which was far from home and she wasn't able to get home often. When winter came, she returned home and took a job in a bakery followed by Shelby Spring Hinge. Later she returned to her nanny duties caring for a family of a lawyer in Shelby. On February 12, 1938, she married Jay E. Gruneisen. In 1940, a son, David was born and in 1942, Jay decided to enroll at the Moody Bible Institute, moving his family to Chicago, making Mildred a country girl in the big city. Jay attended Moody, graduating in 1948, while holding a long time job at Zenith Radio. There were so many interesting places to see so she and David really enjoyed the city. Mildred joined the Midwest Bible Church and taught a 6-year old Sunday school class. In 1944, their second child, Judith was born. In 1949, Mildred took a job at Mars Candy Co. working in quality control. Her mother came to live with the family in her later years until her death in 1965. Feeling the urge to return back to her roots, she moved to Ohio in 1968 realizing Chicago was only a place for the quick and the dead. Their family bought a farm on Hathaway Road living there for 30 years then giving in to the need to slow down, moved to a retirement center on Logan Road, feeling content and happy while there. Mildred was a member of First Alliance Church and a volunteer at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital for seventeen years.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Jay E. Gruneisen; two children, David B. Gruneisen of Bellville and Judith E. Hill of Chelmsford, MA; ten grandchildren and their spouses; and many loving great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, brother, Mack E. Post of Tucson, AZ, a granddaughter, Melanie Franke and nephew, Michael Post.

Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at First Alliance Church, officiated by Rev. Steve Burggraf, Pastor Jim Cheatham and Associate Pastor Randy Feagan. Burial will follow in Caesarea Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Commission Fund of Christian and Missionary Alliance Church or Moody Bible Institute. Mildred wanted to talk to everyone one last time in the words of the following poem: "The hour of my departure's come; I hear His voice that calls me home; At last, O Lord, let trouble cease; and let thy servant rest in peace".