Mary Kay “Mike ” Killian
September 6th, 1949 - May 3rd, 2022
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Mike's Obituary
Mary Kay Killian passed away on May 3, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. She remained at home under the care of her family and hospice.
Born September 6, 1949, Mary Kay (“Mike” to family and friends) graduated with a B.S. from Ferris State College and entered the world of social service. She spent seven years with the Mason County Juvenile Courts as a Case Worker and Probation Officer, before transferring to the Link Crisis Intervention Center as a Counselor/Substance Abuse Evaluator. In 1986, Mary Kay became a Probation Officer for Berrien County’s Fifth District Court where she served for the next 20 years.
Early on, Mike had puppies in her life. At the age of 5 it was Clancy, the family beagle, that put her on the front page of the Herald Press, and her dad in jail for punching the dog catcher. She and her partner of 32 years, Daniel Zielke, shared their love for dogs, most recently with Molly, Tutti, and Trixie who always stood guard while she gardened and took time to greet neighbors and passers-by. A genealogy buff, she chronicled her family’s history and enjoyed surfing the web in search of her ancestral roots, making new connections, as well as playing games. Having lived in St. Joe her entire life, she was a wealth of knowledge on local history, flora and fauna.
Mary Kay is survived by her partner, Daniel Zielke; brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Karen; sister, Carol of St. Joseph; nieces, Kara, Kristen, Mahle; and nephew, Matt.
The family is eternally grateful to good friend and confidante, Teresa Burton for all of her help. Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alice Killian and her brother, William.
Cremation has taken place and a time of gathering will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern MI, 5400 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Born September 6, 1949, Mary Kay (“Mike” to family and friends) graduated with a B.S. from Ferris State College and entered the world of social service. She spent seven years with the Mason County Juvenile Courts as a Case Worker and Probation Officer, before transferring to the Link Crisis Intervention Center as a Counselor/Substance Abuse Evaluator. In 1986, Mary Kay became a Probation Officer for Berrien County’s Fifth District Court where she served for the next 20 years.
Early on, Mike had puppies in her life. At the age of 5 it was Clancy, the family beagle, that put her on the front page of the Herald Press, and her dad in jail for punching the dog catcher. She and her partner of 32 years, Daniel Zielke, shared their love for dogs, most recently with Molly, Tutti, and Trixie who always stood guard while she gardened and took time to greet neighbors and passers-by. A genealogy buff, she chronicled her family’s history and enjoyed surfing the web in search of her ancestral roots, making new connections, as well as playing games. Having lived in St. Joe her entire life, she was a wealth of knowledge on local history, flora and fauna.
Mary Kay is survived by her partner, Daniel Zielke; brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Karen; sister, Carol of St. Joseph; nieces, Kara, Kristen, Mahle; and nephew, Matt.
The family is eternally grateful to good friend and confidante, Teresa Burton for all of her help. Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alice Killian and her brother, William.
Cremation has taken place and a time of gathering will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern MI, 5400 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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