Mildred B. “Millie” Bink
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ESCANABA - Mildred B. "Millie" Bink, 66, 404 S. 29th St., Escanaba, passed away early Monday morning, July 21, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital, following a courageous 18 year battle with cancer.
Millie was born on May 14, 1942, in Powers, the daughter of Henry and Della (LeMay) Luft. She was raised in Powers and graduated from Powers-Spalding High School with honors.
Following high school, Millie attended Northern Michigan University and then briefly lived in Milwaukee.
On Aug. 24, 1963, the former Mildred B. Luft married Robert N. "Bob" Bink at St. Francis Xavier Church in Spalding.
A dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, Millie loved being with her grandchildren and devoted herself to her family.
Millie, along with her husband Bob, owned Bink's Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Bink's Wines and Beverages Inc., where she served as secretary and treasurer for Bink's Coca-Cola Bottling Company. For a few years, Millie worked at Wickert Floral and Greenhouse.
She was actively involved as a volunteer and board member for the Delta County Cancer Alliance and was the chairperson who initiated the Woman Helping Woman Program. Millie was also a volunteer in the library for Holy Name Catholic School. She was an avid bridge player.
An active member of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church, Millie was a Eucharistic Minister and was instrumental with fundraising efforts for their parish retreat. She was a member of the charismatic movement.
Bob and Millie enjoyed wintering at their home in Lake Wales, Fla.
Among the survivors include her husband, Bob of Escanaba; children, Laurie Bink (Larry) Purpuro of Alexandria, Va., Michelle (Scott) Dykema and Nick (Michelle) Bink, both of Escanaba, and Becky (Jason) Brownewell of Chicago; grandchildren, Brian McCusker, Nicholas Bink, Andrew Dykema, Robert and James Purpuro, Brooke Bink, Lauren and Matthew Dykema, Mari and Nolan Bink; brother, Clifford (Sally) Luft of Marquette; and sisters, Sylvia Maule of Hermansville and Sister Laurine Luft SSND of Milwaukee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Melvin, Lawrence, Elmer, Howard, Mayadore, and Gordon; and three sisters, Dorothy Eisenheim, Margaret Luft, and Sally Jasper.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 23, from 3-8 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba with parish prayers at 5 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church with Rev. Eric Olson officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church Fellowship Hall.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Name Catholic School or Delta County Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Crawford Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Bark River are assisting the Bink family with arrangements.
