Gilbert John Elias
August 29, 1927 – March 25, 2023

Gilbert John Elias, 95, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, went peacefully to God’s house on March 24th, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born in Beal City, Michigan to John and Lavina (Bengel) Elias on August 29, 1927.

He married Mary Lou Voisin in 1953 and both moved to Spokane Washington, where he was stationed at Fairchild AFB as a B-29 mechanic during the Korean War. Upon returning to Michigan, they built a home in Mount Pleasant, and he graduated from Central Michigan University. In 1960 they moved their two sons (Dave and Steve) to Okemos, and raised their family, adding Brian and Mike. In 1970 they built a cottage at Houghton Lake, where they loved being around family, grandchildren, and friends. Gil’s passion for restoration resulted in two fine Model A’s, which he and Mary Lou used to explore the area fire trails.

Gil’s career as a quality control supervisor with General Motors spanned 30 years. He then was fortunate to enjoy a long “career” as a retiree. A founding member of St. Martha Parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was an inspiration to all with his selfless servitude. He could be found in the trenches of many church and community activities. Gil was a man with a generous heart who imparted his strong faith to his family. He never held a Rosary he didn’t like!

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Walt and sisters Betty and Thelma. Mary Lou predeceased him in 2011 after 57 years of marriage. They had four sons David (Robin), Steve (Laura), Brian (Amy), and Mike (Meg); nine grandchildren, Heather and Megan, Drake, Adam and Kate, Jonathan and Lauren, Emma and Michael, and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 15th, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos. Visitation will be held beginning at 9:30 with a Rosary at 10:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos, MI 48864, or your favorite charity.

The family would like to thank all his caregivers, especially Missi and Angela, for their exceptional care, allowing him to remain in his home.

The world lost some of its light, but we now have him in Heaven to pray for us.
--https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-lansing-mi/gilbert-elias-11219985

Transcription:

MARY LOUISE ELIAS
Okemos

Mary Louise Elias, 79, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, went peacefully to God's house on April 8, 2011 surrounded by family. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Michigan to Ernest and Emma Voisin on February 10, 1932.

Mary was a woman of generous heart who imparted her strong faith to her family. A founding member of St. Martha Parish in Okemos, she was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Mary loved being around her family, grandchildren and friends. She lived for annual summer vacations with the whole family, traveling, boating and simply enjoying life.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jack Voisin and sister Nora Mae Downing. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Gilbert; four sons David (Robin), Steve (Laura), Brian (Amy) and Mike (Meg); nine grandchildren Heather and Megan, Drake, Adam and Kate, Jonathan and Lauren, and Emma and Michael; one sister Karen (Mike) Golden; two brothers Glenn (Norma) Voisin and Paul (Charlotte) Voisin; a special niece Sue (David) Grades, and many other wonderful family members.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos. Visitation will be held at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing on Monday, April 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be visitation at the church one hour prior to the Mass.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos, MI 48864 or the Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0699.

The world lost some of its light today, but we now have her in Heaven to pray for us.

The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing.

Transcription:

Mary Louise Elias Okemos Mary Louise Elias, 79, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, went peacefully to God's house on April 8, 2011 surrounded by family. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Michigan to Ernest and Emma Voisin on February 10, 1932. Mary was a woman of generous heart who imparted her strong faith to her family. A founding member of St. Martha Parish in Okemos, she was an inspiration to all who knew her. Mary loved being around her family, grandchildren and friends. She lived for annual summer vacations with the whole family, traveling, boating and simply enjoying life. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jack Voisin, and sister, Nora Mae Downing. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Gilbert; four sons, David (Robin), Steve (Laura), Brian (Amy) and Mike (Meg); nine grandchildren Heather and Megan, Drake, Adam and Kate, Jonathan and Lauren, and Emma and Michael; one sister, Karen (Mike) Golden; two brothers, Glenn (Norma) Voisin and Paul (Charlotte) Voisin; a special niece, Sue (David) Grades; and many other wonderful family members. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos. Visitation will be held at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing on Monday, April 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be visitation at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Memorial donations may be made to St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos, MI 48864 or the Arthritis Foundation , PO Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357-0699. The world lost some of its light today, but we now have her in Heaven to pray for us. The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On-line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.

Transcription:

Eulogy for Mary Elias...Thanks to my family for giving me the honor of writing it.

On behalf of the Elias Family, I’d like to extend our thanks for your help and generosity in the last few weeks, and for joining us here to celebrate the life of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.

When I left New York for Michigan in 1992, I left behind my first family, the family that raised me, loved me, and reluctantly said goodbye as I left for Michigan State to finish my education. Eight years later, I had my first date with Mike…he came straight from a family dinner at his brother’s house to pick me up, with leftover dessert in hand. He arrived at the door with little plate with some pieces of cake and maybe a brownie, covered with Saran Wrap. That was my first introduction to my second family…the one that would extend invitations for every holiday and birthday, take care of me during difficult times, and help me establish my own loving home.

It was probably a month after that date with Mike that I met Mary Lou for the first time, and I immediately picked up on the tight bonds among the brothers, and the spiritual life that was shared by every member of the family. It was a bit difficult for me at first, because it takes a lot of faith to step into such a group and open up your heart to the risk of being hurt. But that never did happen. As my relationship grew with Mary Lou, and she eventually became my mother-in-law, I developed an incredible respect for the life she and Gib had built around themselves. Here was a woman who had four sons, all of whom showed her their love and loyalty with no shame and no doubt. She took pride in her house and her cottage and all of the beautiful plants lined up on the windowsill, and seemed to always enter the room with a smile.

You’ve heard the phrase, “Showing up is half the battle”…never in my life did I meet a person who was so willing to show up. Every birthday, family reunion, graduation open house, lunch with friends, bible study, CCW meeting, soccer and volleyball game, walk around the block, Sunday dinner, trip up North, she was there. If someone asked her to take a ride on the boat, she was there at the dock with her life vest on, towel in hand. You couldn’t even finish the sentence, “We’re having a party,” before she would say, “Just a second, let me put it on my calendar.” And she never went home early. If there was any fun left to be had, she wasn’t going anywhere.

Mary Lou was, quite literally, always a phone call away. Although she would often say she was busy with her office work, she would drop her pen and highlighter for the chance to spend some time with a loved one. So much did she appreciate people that it was not uncommon to find ourselves waiting for her to finish up a conversation with a complete stranger at fish fry, or at the buffet at Old Country…at the end of which she would consider them a friend. She was always talking about someone or another, a cousin, a sister, a neighbor…she knew everybody’s story.

She was no spectator in life. She was an active participant, and sometimes a cheerleader, camera in hand. She was known for calling everyone together for a family picture, in front of the Christmas tree or on the beach. Sometimes we grumbled, but we’re coming to see how those pictures will become a family treasure to be passed on to our own children. A few times I remember her showing us pictures she took of her tenants…MSU students renting duplexes in East Lansing. On the back of the pictures, Mary Lou had written their names, ages, and their majors. I often wondered what they thought about that, their new landlady posing them together for a picture and asking them about their hometown. Just today it came to me how they would feel…they would feel valued. It’s simply that, when Mary Lou talked to you, she would focus and listen, and remember, and for that moment you were the most important person in the room. And that was an absolute gift.

I have to believe that some of that incredible fight she put up through all of her health problems came from the fear that she might miss something…whether it be family vacation or just the chance to meet someone new, I can see how she would be really reluctant to lose even a minute on this earth. And now, she has shown up in one of the many rooms waiting for her in heaven…I imagine her walking into the arms of all the loved ones who have gone before her. As much as we miss her, boy, won’t they ever be glad to see her.