Jean Method

Jean (Stroiwas) Method, 90, of Midland, MI (formerly of Merrill, MI and Wixom Lake) passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, at Primrose Assisted Living in Midland. Jean was born on September 2, 1935, the youngest of five children, to the late Michael 'Mike' and Mary (Stankiewicz) Stroiwas on a farm south of Merrill, MI.

Jean attended B.S. Teft, a one-room school, and graduated from Merrill High School in 1952 at the age of 16 where she was named the Salutatorian of her class. She then worked at Wilson Grocery Store in Merrill for a few months until she was hired into Michigan Bell Telephone in Saginaw as a secretary until starting a family where she then was a stay-at-home wife and mother. When her three daughters were in high school, she became a realtor for nine years to help get them all through college.

Jean married the love of her life, Richard 'Dick' Method, on November 6, 1954 at St. Patrick Church (Ryan) and they spent 70+ wonderful and loving years together. He predeceased her on March 24, 2025.

Dick and Jean met at the Scotch Picnic during the Labor Day Festival in Nelson, MI in 1950. They traveled the world and went RV camping for 48 years together. They have been to all 50 states and most of Canada plus many other adventures including Poland, Hawaii, Alaska, and many European Countries. They also spent 22 years wintering in Hudson, FL. When Dick and Jean were in Poland on a Polka tour, they visited Jean's relatives in Turek where Dick couldn't understand a word they were saying! Jean was very proud of her Polish heritage as her parents immigrated from Poland to the USA. She truly loved the many years of Polka dancing with Dick, her favorite partner!

Jean's pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had many memories of her and Dick raising their three girls, as well as, all of their trips and many adventures together as a family. She also cherished all the memories of her time with her four grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren. They were all the light of her life!!

In her younger years, Jean loved the outdoors - fishing, snowmobiling, gardening and canning and freezing her wonderful fruits and vegetables. Jean had a love of flowers her entire life; digging in the dirt, planting and watching the beauty come to life. She, along with her family and special Primrose friends, were instrumental in starting the beautiful flower gardens that you can see from Waldo Road!

Jean is survived by her daughters, Diane (Dewayne) Belcher and Ellen Grzegorczyk. Her grandchildren, Nathan (Jessica) Belcher, Thomas (Kristen) Belcher, Anna (Michael) Fazio and Ryan (Nicole) Golombisky. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Addison and Katie Mae Belcher, August and Marigold Belcher, Layla, Hadley and Weston Fazio, and Austin, Ensley and Silas Golombisky.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, daughter, Sheila Method; son-in-law, Steven Grzegorczyk; her brothers and sisters Stanley (Donna) Stroiwas, Virginia (Scotty) Urbaniak, Edward (Helen) Stroiwas and Irene (Howard) Sherman, as well as many other relatives.

Funeral services for Jean will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 from the Ware Smith Woolevar Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler Street, Midland, MI. Visitation will be on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 2-7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Merrill, MI.

The family would like to send a heartfelt Thank You to the staff at Primrose, as well as to Mackenzie and Kristina and others with Optimal (Hospice) Care for the excellent care, support and love they provided Jean and her family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jean's name may be made to the Merrill Public Library 321 W. Saginaw St., Merrill, MI 48637.

All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Method family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.