Steven Bielas

Steven Lee Bielas 82, of Traverse City Michigan, died Aug. 27, 2022.

Steve was born October 8, 1939 in Buckley, Michigan. He married Mary Fraser on December 28, 1958 in Cadillac, MI and their life together took them around the world. Steve worked as a carpenter in Forest City, Florida and did plumbing and masonry in Collegedale, TN. Building on this experience, Steve established his own Cherryland Plumbing and Heating business in Traverse City, Michigan in 1968. The business was ultimately passed on to his son Jeffery Bielas as Steve pursued other employment opportunities including, serving as a missionary in Nigeria and Rwanda, Africa for 5 years and a plumbing instructor and Assistant Plant Service Manager for Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI. Steve was a very talented builder. He never encountered a problem he could not identify a creative solution for, a skill that served him exceedingly well for the building he did in Africa and while helping his children with their numerous construction projects.

Steve and Mary had five children - Jeff, Doug, Ken, Steph and Joe - that were an important focus of Steve’s life. All the kids have childhood memories of accompanying Steve to work, long before “take your kids to work” was in vogue. Steve not only taught useful construction skills, but also demonstrated by example the importance of hard work and responsibility for achieving goals.

Steve loved spending time with his family and dedicated much of his time after retirement in 2005 to helping his kids with many substantial construction projects, which included new construction and total house remodels. Steve always answered his phone! He was equally as dedicated to being a sounding board to his kids and a loving, supportive grandparent to his 12 grandkids and 10 great grandchildren. This was a fulltime job as Steve’s kids are spread across the country.

Steve is survived by his wife, Mary Bielas and their large family. He was preceded in death by son, Jeffrey Bielas and is survived by (Marlene), granddaughter Toni (Ryan) Hernalsteen and great-granddaughters Isabella and Mackenzie; son Douglas (Sherilyn) Bielas, grandchildren Corey, Brianna, Curtis and Travis and great-grandchildren Brylee, Skyler, Taylin, Weston, Kenlee, Max and Jack; son Kenneth (Coleen) Bielas, granddaughter Melinda (Xander) Scull and great-granddaughter Juniper, and grandson Steven (Caleigh) Bielas; daughter Stephanie (Leif) Bielas and grandchildren Heddi, Anders and Karsten; and son Joseph (Jennifer) Bielas and grandchildren Joshua and Jenna.

A celebration will be announced in the future.

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