Mary Shileikis

Mary Shileikis was born on April 30, 1927 in Lorain, Ohio to Samuel Kascheck and Helen (Sagan) Kascheck.  She was the fifth of eight children. Shortly afterwards the family moved to  a small farm in Coleman, MI.  Her chores were milking the cows while she sang to them, rather than learning to cook on the large cook stove.  At 16 she left for Detroit, MI to live with Kay, her oldest sister, with the hopes of pursuing her dreams to be a dancer.  She did dance, but never anything professional.  She soon turned to assembly line work at the Ford Motor Company.  She eventually met John Shileikis and they married in August, 1948.  They had two children, Mary Jane and John Joseph.  In 1957 the family loaded a small U-Haul trailer and ventured out on Route 66 for a new life in Southern California.  Along with being a housewife she worked at several factories, ending up at Whittaker Controls for over 30 years, making parts for Boeing Aircraft.  Her husband was never the ballroom type dancer so their dancing took the turn to Square Dancing., which they enjoyed for quite a number of years, belonging to several clubs.

As a family there was always lots of camping trips and day adventures.  Her son John was a professional drummer and when he was playing locally, she was always on the dance floor, even when her husband couldn't move his feet to a particular beat.  Rod was always ready to step in.

Johnny never married and in 1970 Mary Jane married Rodney Paul, but it was never meant for Mary to have any grandchildren to spoil.

After her retirement in 1990 she moved to Oregon.  John's health prevented them from doing much else.  He passed away in 1997.  Mary eventually moved in with Mary Jane and Rod and they all traveled quite often in the motor home to places in Oregon and Washington, with longer trips to Michigan and other states with adventures always along the way.

Mary did enjoy playing Triple Yahtzee with her son in law and was quite the Yahtzee Queen.

Mary will be remembered for her hats, her laughter and the beautiful smile she had for everyone.

Mary was predeceased by her mom and dad, son John Joseph, brothers and sisters, Pete Kascheck, John Kascheck, Stella Fanta, Katherine Molosky, Olga Geiling and Angeline Eapley.

Those living and missing Mary are daughter, Mary  Jane, Helen Kupiec and numberous nieces and nephews around the United States.

Donations can be made to:  Oregon Humane Society, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd.  Portland, OR 97211 or donations can be made on line.