Obituary of Mildred Emma Hatlak

December 19, 1929 - April 10, 2026

Mildred Emma Hatlak (nee Turis) Age 96 of Woodhaven.

Aunt Millie as we have called her all our lives was born Mildred Emma Turis on December 19, 1929 in the home at 8101 South Street in Delray, Detroit Michigan to Paul and Mary Turis (nee Ravas). She was the fourth of what would become a family of six children. All her siblings have preceded her in death. Her brother Paul Thomas Turis (Mary) died 2015, and her sisters: Ethel Mary (Frank) Marton died 1992, Olga Anna (John) Marcis died 2004, Helen Pauline (Frank) Szalay died 2010 and Ruth Elizabeth (Edward) Balog died 2000.

Aunt Millie was baptized on January 19, 1930 at First Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church in Delray Detroit Michigan. She was later confirmed in the Christian faith as a young lady.

Aunt Millie spent many years teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and as a member of the young peoples Luther League.

Her favorite Bible passage was Revelations 2:10 “Be thou Faithful onto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Her favorite songs were: Oh that I had a Thousand Voices, Battle Hymn of the Republic and Lift High the Cross. 

Aunt Millie attended grade school at McMillan grade school on West End and Southwestern High School on Fort Street in Delray graduating June of 1946.

She began working for Security Bank & Trust on Thursday, August 15, 1946 at the age of 16, to eventually retire after 46 years in January of 1992.

Aunt Millie loved to tell the story about the most famous person she knew being George Peppard (Actor) before he made it big in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” the movie star asked her out to a play at the Shubert Theatre but she didn’t go on that date because she had a driving lesson that night that she didn’t want to miss.

Things she wanted to do but didn’t were to enlist in the United States Marines and become an airline stewardess and also to learn to play the piano.

Aunt Millie loved to do crossword puzzles and other word games. She also loved to knit and would knit afghan blankets for many family members and friends over the years. 

Aunt Millie had a beautiful singing voice and she also dreamed of becoming a singer and dancer. 

Aunt Millie met and married the love of her life Eugene J. Hatlak on October 18, 1958. Uncle Gene preceded her in death at the age of just 40 years old on July 15, 1972. When asked how long she was married she would always respond “13 years 8 months and 27 days.” She never remarried and did not have any children of her own but became like a second mother to her sister Ruth’s three children Martha, Mary and Paul. Aunt Millie and Martha developed a special relationship, especially after Uncle Gene died, becoming not only Aunt and Niece, but also best of friends.

Aunt Millie eventually became a member of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lawndale and Chamberlain Streets in Southwest Detroit until COVID and her health prevented her from attending services.

Aunt Millie loved her kitty cats with her first cats being Felix and Cissy which she adopted with Uncle Gene and her last cat George Clooney Cat who crossed the rainbow bridge this year on January 18, 2026. She missed him so much.

Aunt Millie leaves behind many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors to both mourn her loss and celebrate her long and well lived life having attained the age of 96 years, 3 months and 10 days. She cherished the memory of her Surprise 90th Birthday Party that many of you attended in December 2019.

Her favorite prayer was: Lord lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me – and may I gladly do my part to win that soul for thee, and when I enter that beautiful city and the saved all around me appear. I'd like to hear somebody tell me “It was you who invited me here!” – “It was you who invited me here!”

Aunt Millie - We Love You to the moon and back and even further still - We Love You more than words can say - We always have and always will. 

Until we meet again at Heavens Gate - and Until that time I humbly ask - Please be our Guardian Angel until our days on earth are past. 

Loving you forever, 

Martha, Mary and Paul