Elaine Mielke

Elaine (Mrs. Gary) Mielke, 83, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Cedarville, Michigan, passed away suddenly but peacefully, Tuesday morning, April 8, 2025, at UF Health Spanish Plains Hospital, The Villages.

Elaine Eleanor Trapp was born February 10, 1942, in Tiffin, Ohio, to the late Nick and Evelyn (Speck) Trapp. She was a graduate of Tiffin High School and attended Bliss College. While there she met and roomed with Nancy Ackley. Nancy introduced Elaine to her brother, John and they married soon thereafter. This union was blessed with two children, John Wallace and Debra Kay. Sadly, John died several years later. Nancy later introduced Elaine to her husband, Elgie Pollard's best friend, Gary Mielke. They were married April 28, 1967, in Cedarville ironically by the same officiant that married Elaine and John. Elaine and Gary's marriage was blessed with children, Melissa, Otto and Mary. As Gary was a Captain on Great Lakes Freighters, the couple moved to Rogers City, Michigan. Later they  moved to Hessel, Michigan, where they owned and operated Hessel Grocery for several years. With their family growing, they moved to Cedarville. There, Elaine was Clark Township Clerk for many years. In 1991, the couple moved to The Villages.

While there, Elaine was instrumental in organizing a women's golf league known as The Butterflys. Over the years, she also organized many golf outings. For many years, it was unusual that Elaine was not golfing every day. One of her greatest accomplishments was having seven holes-in-one. She was an avid Mahjong player, participating in two groups. Elaine and Gary enjoyed going on cruises, were avid Tiger Baseball fans and attending numerous events at the The Villages several events centers. Elaine loved the game of Tennis and would watch every day if she could.

She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her loving husband of nearly 58 years, Gary; children and their spouses, John (Sue) Ackley of Muskegon, Michigan, Melissa and Don Meadows of Hessel, Otto (Danielle) Mielke of Cedarville and Mary and Vance Barber of Pickford, Michigan; grandchildren, Ashley (Matt) Shallal, Courtney (Kirk) Elliott, Shelbi (Garrett) Koronka, John (Cassie) Ackley, Ashlee Mielke, Sydney (Andrew Ackerman) Meadows, Morgan Barber, Billy Barber, Harper Mielke and Jeffrey Mielke; great-granddaughters, Ava Shallal and Elliana Elliott; a great-grandson, William Vieau; siblings, Joyce Reed of New Mexico, Lee Wilson of Texas and Jim (Barb) Trapp of Tiffin; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Elaine in death in addition to her husband, John and her parents were her daughter, Debra Ackley; brothers, Nick Trapp and Lonny Trapp and several nieces and nephews.

It was Elaine's wishes that no formal service be held. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested to Cedar Cove Assisted Living, 266 Mary L Street, Cedarville, Michigan  49719.  Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at ackermancares.com.

Ackerman Funeral Directors & Cremation Service is honored to be caring for Elaine's family in these difficult days. (906) 484-3319.