Amelia M. Seilo

Amelia "Mel" Mildred Seilo, age 93 of Manistee, MI (formerly of Caspian) Died Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the West Shore Medical Center, Manistee. Amelia was born on June 12, 1916 in Caspian, MI The daughter of the late Valentino C. and Julia (Bedine) Cocco was raised in Caspian and attended the Caspian and Stambaugh Schools. Amelia married Wayne E. Seilo on August 1, 1936 and the couple resided in Caspian until the closing of the Buck Mine in 1964, when they moved to Salinas, CA where Wayne worked for the Firestone Tire Company. In 1981, the couple retired to Hemet, CA. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1986 and Wayne preceded her in death on July 14, 1990. Amelia worked as a hot lunch cook at the Caspian Schools and as a custodian at the Stambaugh Schools in the early1960's. While in Salinas, she worked together with her husband as an apartment manager. Amelia also did child and home care for a family at Pebble Beach, CA for 15 years. In 2005, Amelia moved to Manistee to be with her daughter. Amelia was a former member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian and the St. Anne's Society. Amelia was a great cook, her specialties being Italian dishes, and she was known for baking Angel Food cakes, apple pies. and her vast variety of decorated and tasty Christmas cookies. She was a fantastic hostess, loved company and entertaining family and friends for all occasions at her impeccably immaculate but warmly inviting home. Her parting words to people were always: "Come to visit me". Her biggest love was celebrating the joyous Christmas Season and she was known for her specially decorated Christmas trees. She was a woman of faith, carrying her rosary everywhere with her. She'd always preface her sentences by saying, "God willing". She was a person that everyone could turn to in time of need. She was there to share joy and was always beyond caring, and known as a "Second Mother" or "Auntie Mel" to many. Amelia enjoyed her Caspian Sewing Club and her Hemet Bunco Club. She was also known for sending cards and letters to family and friends for every occasion possible. In her earlier years, she loved to embroider, and was an avid reader (especially the classics), belonging to the "Book of the Month Club". One highlight of her life was traveling to Italy to visit relatives with her sister-in-law, Olga Cocco. whom Mel considered the sister she never had. But most of all, the joy, love and pride of her life was her husband, Wayne, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, being with and caring for them. She is survived by her son, John Seilo of Irvine, CA Daughter, Donna (Duane) Wagberg of Manistee Grandchildren; Don (Christine) Wagberg Darlene Wagberg Daniel (Jodi) Wagberg Kristina Seilo Eric Seilo Six great grandchildren; Michael and Chelsea Guzikowski Lucas and Noah Wagberg Madison and MacKenzie Wagberg Brother, John (Olga) Cocco of Carney, MI Sisters-in-law; Clarice Cocco of Caspian Helen Soumi of Bad Axe, MI Ruth (Melford) Christofferson of Iron River Dorothy (Earl) Knivila of Iron River Nieces, nephews, and several cousins in Italy She was also preceded in death by her brother, Peter Cocco of Caspian. Visitation: Saturday November 28, 2009 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. Funeral Service: Saturday November 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Caspian, with Rev. Jeffrey Kurtz, to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment: Stambaugh Cemetery, Iron River Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River.