Mildred A. Chesbro

Mildred “Millie” Ann Chesbro (Burns), born September 8, 1923, went to be with her Lord and was reunited with her beloved husband and the love of her life, Charles David Chesbro, Sr., on Saturday, August 22, 2026. She also joins her son, Charles D. Chesbro, Jr., her granddaughter, Bobbie Sue, her parents, Patrick “Jim” and Clara Burns, her six siblings, and many other family members who went before her.

Millie leaves behind a large and loving family who were shaped by her steady presence and deep care. Family was her greatest joy. She loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around her, and she took great pride in the family that grew through the years.

She is survived by her children, Mildred “Millianne” Ann (Warren) Curtis, Jeanne Elizabeth (Douglas) Sturgeon, and Patrick James Chesbro, Sr. Her family continues through her grandchildren, Peggi Kenel, Sue (Mark) Kranzo, Nancy (Brad) King, Kerri Kenel, Millianne (Matthew) Cunningham, Aimee (Daniel) Cory, Beckee (Gary) Kibler, Douglas (Stacy) Sturgeon, Janelle Johnson, Charles (Cherish) Chesbro III, Corrina “Cori” Michaels, Melleny Thayne, Bernice (Al) K. Ritter, Patrick Chesbro, Jr., and Rhonda (Mark) Dunn. Millie was blessed with 31 great-grandchildren, 30 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved in her quiet, steady way. Each generation was important to her, and she made each person feel that they mattered.

Millie was a woman of strong faith. She prayed daily for her family, lifting each person up with a kind of devotion that never wavered. Her faith and her family were at the heart of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved music, singing, was an avid seamstress who made 6-month to 1-year sized cloth dolls that the Red Flannel Factory used for children’s displays and, of course, she created dolls for her grandchildren, such as, Little Women, Laura Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie and many more. Millie also loved to share stories and had a way of bringing the past to life, sharing memories of people and times many of us never knew but came to know through her stories.

She had a gentle strength, offering unconditional love and support to everyone around her. Her kindness touched generations, and the love she gave will continue through the family she leaves behind.

Millie’s passing leaves a deep ache, but also a sense of peace knowing she is free from pain and reunited with those she missed so dearly. We will miss her stories, her prayers, her gentle spirit, and the comfort of knowing she was always there.

She ended every card with the words, “May you always remain in the loving arms of Jesus.” Today, we hold onto that blessing, trusting that she is now resting in those same loving arms — whole, joyful, and exactly where she was meant to be.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at K.E. Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Drive, Cedar Springs, with a rosary at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, August 31, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 3110 17 Mile Road, NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.