Mildred A. Gillen

Name: Mildred A. Gillen

Calling Hours: Wednesday, May 27th from 2 to 8 pm at Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora

Service Hours: Thursay, May 28th at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Assumption

Mildred A. “Millie” Gillen, passed away on May 23, 2009. She was born January 29, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, to Joseph Nykodym and Ann Ondrovick Nykodym (Knisel). After graduating from Metamora High School, she worked in downtown Toledo. In 1948, she married Paul J. Gillen at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Assumption, Ohio. They lived in Metamora and Millie stayed in the same home after Paul died in 1963.

Paul and Millie had two children, Kathleen Gillen Hawkins and Kim Paul Gillen. Kathy died in 2005 in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where she lived with her husband, Bob. Kim lives in Seminole, Florida.

Millie worked at Curtin and Pease in Toledo for 12 years until the company moved out of Toledo. She then helped her son in his bar in Metamora, Slim’s Inn. Nicknamed “Mother Slim,” she was known for her great burgers and spicy coney island hot dog sauce. She liked good food and was an excellent cook, and often helped with her mother’s catering business. In the office, she was an expert typist, and in the 1960’s she typed auto registrations in Fulton County.

Millie always enjoyed a good party with family or friends. Most of all she liked to dance. On holiday weekends she always found a way to travel to the Czech polka dances. When she was in school she loved to jitterbug. She and her friends would start walking to Blissfield and would often get a ride from someone going to the same dance. She was also a good bowler and was in a league with the same four friends for 25 years.

She liked things that were bright, cheerful and unique, and it showed in her personal style and home.

Millie is preceded in death by her mother, Ann Knisel; father, Joe; stepfather, Roy Knisel; daughter, Kathy; sister, Dolores Whaley, and brother, Joseph Nykodym.

She is survived by her son, Kim; sister, Dawn Knisel of Maumee, Ohio; aunt, Georgia Novak of Dundee, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Theresa Tredway of Metamora, Ohio, and Bridget Demaline of Scottsdale, Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Friends and family may visit Wednesday, May 27th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora, where a scripture service will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Prayers will begin in the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28th, followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption. Fr. Ron Schock will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department.

Millie’s family would like to especially thank the nursing staff of the 5th floor and ICU at Flower Hospital for the thoughtful care she received during her prolonged and difficult stay.

Residence: Metamora, Ohio

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Assumption