Martin Edward Mielke Jr.

Martin E. Mielke, 81, of Granger passed away while surrounded by family on January 31, 2023.  He was born October 19, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin and Mildred Mielke. He graduated from Arlington Heights High School and Northern Illinois University, double majoring in Accounting and Finance. He found a home after college in the South Bend area, where he lived the rest of his life.

He was a devoted family man, a loyal friend and a mentor to many. An accountant by trade, Martin believed in faith, family, education, hard work, debt avoidance and eating any cookie he could get his hands on.

Known to those who knew and loved him as Marty, he is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Pam; brother Don (Sue) Mielke; children Kara (David) Overton, Pamela (Tony) Leitgeb, Craig (Stacey) Mielke, Steven (Ginger Wehrenberg) Conway and Corrie (Tim Moan) Conway; grandchildren Kimberly (Travis) Stephanie (Trevor), Alexa, Kyler, Kaylee, Gavin, Ann, Elijah, Owen, Levi; and one great grandchild, Theo.  

Marty was born into a baseball family and maintained a love of the game his entire life. A Cubs fan, he played and coached baseball and softball for decades. He enjoyed attending games at spring training in Arizona, making trips to Wrigley Field and seeing his beloved South Bend Cubs work their way through the minors.

He enjoyed traveling, and his happy place was Disney World. He returned there regularly, finding peaceful getaways with his wife in addition to memory-making visits with his family.

He looked forward to his biweekly lunches with friends. A friendship with Marty had no expiration date. Enduring friendships were the norm. He was the embodiment of a man one could depend on.

Camping brought Marty joy, both the solitude of nature and the family time it provided. He was handy, helping build college lofts, pinewood derby cars and even a miniature golf course in his own back yard.

Marty worked his entire adult life. He made accounting his part-time job and full-time hobby even after retirement. He did it because he wanted to, and he enjoyed every tap of the calculator along the way.

Marty was also devoted to his faith. A founding member of Christ the King Lutheran church, he was a valued member of its congregation, assisting with the bookkeeping and helping wherever he could to keep the church growing. 

A loving husband, a dependable father, a kind and gentle grandfather and a fierce friend, Marty’s steady, guiding presence will be missed by all fortunate enough to be part of his life.

The family requests contributions in memory of Marty be made to the Christ the King Lutheran Church endowment fund, 17195 Cleveland Rd, South Bend, Indiana 46635 or Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, 5215 N. 450 W, Angola, Indiana 46703.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 17195 Cleveland Rd., South Bend, Indiana 46635. A visitation with the family will begin at 3 pm with a service to follow at 4 pm.

Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.Palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.