Michael Ervin Mies
January 29, 2007
Mies, Michael Ervin, age 58, retired district manager for Zenith Mid-states Corp., passed away Monday, January 29, 2007. Vigil Service, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 31; Funeral Mass, 10:00 A.M., Thursday, February 1, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Preceded in death by father, E.C. “Shorty” Mies; brother, Randy Mies. Survivors: wife, Gwen; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark Mies, Brent and Andra Mies, all of Wichita, Kevin and Mindy Mies of Lawrence; daughter, Kellie Mies of Wichita; mother, Margaret Amberg of Wichita; brother, Larry Mies of Wichita; sisters, Cindy Zimmerman, Vicki Lies, both of Wichita, Sheryl Joski of Lenexa; grandchildren, Jacob, Luke, Cole, McKenna, and Delaney. Memorial established with Arthritis Foundation, 1999 N. Amidon, #105, Wichita, KS 67203. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
Vigil Service, 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 31, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
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I remember when I was dating Janice, I found out that ‘someone’ in the family had a race car. I tried to stay calm until I found out it was a 1/4 mile car and then I got pretty excited. The first time I ever got to go over to Tim & Joyces house, I remember checking out the garage across the street and finding it very hard to concentrate on the visit. And when I was ‘allowed’ to go across the street to see the ‘Car’ it was all I could do to keep from acting like a 10 year old and just walk normal across the street. I kept thinking, that Mike is probably wondering who this stranger is that is standing in his garage watching him work on his car. Anyway I always enjoyed Mike and very comfortable around him. His passing will leave a large hole in the family.
To the arms of our Father To the arms of our Father I send my love. To His loving embrace, From the pain of this place. My heart will weep, From the loss of my son. But in the arms of our saviour, He will know only love. May our Lord bless him and keep him, As from this place he goes. In the arms of our saviour, He rests now, find peace. Joan E Santos (I wrote this as a dedication to the Russian children September 2004. I hope you appreciate it now.
Though my husband and I only met Mike at his nieces’ Crystal’s Wedding last year, I can personally say that this was a family of love. He was laughing, snapping pictures, having fun. My condolences to his wife and family. Although he is gone he will never be far from your hearts.
I have known Mike Mies for more than 25 years. During that time, I got to know him very well, and I came to respect and admire him greatly. Mike was one of the nicest and most decent men I have ever known, and, at the same time, he was one of the toughest men I have ever known. Mike battled rheumatoid arthritis for most of his adult life, and the amount of pain and suffering that disease inflicted upon him was almost unimaginable. A lesser man would have been driven to self-pity, resentment and despair. Not Mike – he had no use for that kind of weakness and negative thinking. Instead, even when he was really hurting, Mike would look around and find a reason to smile and laugh, and he would use his wonderful sense of humor to make the people around him smile and laugh. Im lucky – I have never had to face the kind of adversity Mike did. If I ever do, I will look back at my friend Mike as the consummate role model for how deal with it. His strength of character was an inspiration to all who knew him. But Mike was much more than just tough. He was a warm and caring man who genuinely loved other people. And people loved him back. His genuine warmth and his delightful sense of humor were captivating, and he brought something positive and uplifting to everyone who had the good fortune to know him. Mike had a special place in his heart for young people – everyone from babies to young adults. He even liked teenagers. But it went much farther than that – Mike had an uncommon ability to really connect with young people and do so on a level where he could influence them in positive ways. He was a teacher, a mentor, a role model. He had a talent and a passion for helping young people grow and learn and succeed. Mikes positive influence is plain to see in his own children, but that influence extended well beyond his own family. He was a positive influence on all three of my sons – and for one of them, he became nothing less than a true mentor. Over the years, Mike used his talent as a teacher and a mentor to enrich the lives of literally dozens of young people from many different families. This will be an important part of Mikes legacy, and I cant think of any more wonderful legacy that a man could have. I am honored to have known this man and to have called him my friend. I am indebted to him for the good he brought to me and to my family, and I ask Gods blessing upon him now and forever. Marsh Martin January 30, 2007
Gwen and family…I know that you may not remember me. I am an old friend of Kathy’s. I know from Kathy that your family has been suffering an enormous amount of pain in the past several days. With Mike watching down on you now, he passed away a very proud man to have the family that he does. My greatest sympathy goes to you Gwen and your children and family. Laura Williams