Obit: Rose Amelia Chye, 93, Custer

Rose Chye

Rose Amelia Chye, age 93 of Custer passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, January 18, 2014.  Rose was born on October 14, 1920 in Free Soil to James and Amelia (Dufon) Shereda and grew up on the family farm south of Freesoil.  She graduated as Salutorian from Free Soil High School with the class of 1938, then earned an Associate’s Degree from the Muskegon School of Business.  Rose was soon working for Continental Motors during WWII, eventually rising to Executive Secretary.  On May 6, 1944, she married the love of her life, Joseph Chye in Muskegon and moved to Massachusetts where he was stationed.

Shortly after VJ Day, the couple returned to civilian life.  By 1950 they were operating a family farm south of Custer.   Rose put all her energy into being a devoted wife, mother of five and homemaker.  With the kids growing up, Rose returned to the workplace in 1966 as Secretary to the Principal and then the Superintendent at Mason County Eastern Schools until her retirement.  She was a very active in the community as a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the St. Rose Altar Society.  She served several terms as the Eden Twp. Treasurer.  Her artistic skills were often on display, either through her wedding cake business or her award winning quilts entered at the West Michigan Fair.

Rose remained very busy in retirement, and enjoyed participating for many years in a quilting group via Sugar Ridge Church of the Brethren.  Rose and Joe would often be seen supporting their grandchildren in their many activities and gatherings.  The couple also traveled to many places throughout North America.   They ultimately celebrated 66 years together before Joseph preceded her in death in 2010.This past summer, Rose enjoyed celebrating her 65^thclass reunion at the Free Soil School, along with hundreds of other proud FHS graduates over the years.

Besides her husband Joseph, Rose was also preceded in death by her brothers Robert and Jack and a great-grandson – Adam Rader.   Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law also preceding Rose in death including Lois Shereda, Edna Shereda, Julia and Harry Koniki,  Cecelia and Peter Chycinski,  Carl Nowak, and Ray Omalski.

Rose will be greatly missed by her children and their spouses David and Janice Chye of Hesperia, Mary and Ted Schoenherr and Theresa and Jerry Bowers all of Custer, Bill and Fran Chye of Fountain, and Dorothy and Rex Ranney of Edmore, 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great, great-grandchildren, her sister Lucille and husband Kenneth Fautley of Manistique, her brother Paul and wife Jaye Shereda of Ludington, her sisters-in-law  Helen Nowak, of Manistee, and Stella Shereda of Free Soil, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Requium Mass will take place for Rose at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Anton Tran as celebrant.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Wednesdayfrom 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 PM at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, and Thursday morning from 10 – 11 AM at the church.  The Rosary will be prayed for Rose Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM at the funeral home.  Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the West Michigan Fair Association, the Wounded Warriors Project, or Lakeshore Animal Friends.

Please visit Rose’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to read her complete Life Story, sign her guestbook, or leave a memory of Rose for her family.