Obituary of Marie Mileham

Marie Scheffler Mileham peacefully passed away Monday afternoon, January 4, 2010, at Plantation Estates in Matthews, NC. Her grandsons and daughter-in-law comforted her in her last hours, and her beloved son was with her at her death. She had been in declining health for two years. Mrs. Mileham was proud of her hometown, Philadelphia, PA where she was born on July 20, 1912, to Mary Leonhardt and Max Louis Scheffler, second and first generation German-Americans respectively. She was nurtured by the Philadelphia German neighborhood where she spent her childhood. Upon her high school graduation, Mrs. Mileham attended Caldwell?s Finishing School and Drexel Institute. She consistently achieved highest honors through all of her formal education. She met the love of her life, Howard Dunning Mileham, at a bon voyage party for a mutual friend. After a two year courtship, they were married on December 28, 1932, and shared a special and loving relationship until Col. Mileham?s death on April 9, 1995. Soon after Col. Mileham?s return from World War II, they welcomed the birth of their only child, William Dunning Mileham III. Mrs. Mileham enjoyed a successful career as a business woman in Philadelphia. She worked as the Executive Assistant to the President of John B. Stetson Co., and retired as the Assistant Treasurer of the Auerbach Corporation. In 1975, Col. & Mrs. Mileham moved to North Carolina where she enjoyed spending time with her son, daughter-in-law and her adored grandsons. Upon Col. Mileham?s illness and ensuing death, she moved to Plantation Estates. As throughout her life, Mrs. Mileham?s outgoing nature led her into many new friendships, and she participated enthusiastically in multiple activities. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed attending concerts and entertaining in her apartment. Marie was always well versed on current affairs, particularly financial and economic affairs. She instilled her belief in the value of education in her son and grandsons. She took special pride in her husband?s military service, the Mileham family business, her family?s educational accomplishments, and her German heritage. Marie will be missed by all who knew her and will be remembered for her strength, her loving nature and her sunny disposition. She is survived by her son, William D. Mileham III and his wife, Melinda; grandsons W. Dunning Mileham IV and wife, Dr. Kathryn Mileham; Scott F. Mileham and wife, Jenny Mileham; and great-grandson William Dunning (Wells) Mileham V, all of Charlotte. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Leonhardt W. Scheffler. Mrs. Mileham?s family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Willow Brook Court at Plantation Estates and to the staff of Hospice of Charlotte for their compassionate care. The family also requests memorial donations to be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Funeral Services for Mrs. Mileham will be Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dilworth Chapel of Hankins & Whittington with the Reverend Larry Watts officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Entombment will be private in Sharon Memorial Park.