Search by Name

Search by Name

Dr. Donald John Miedema

1926 - 2016

Dr.  Donald John Miedema obituary, 1926-2016, Springfield, IL

BORN

1926

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Bisch Funeral Home

2931 South Koke Mill Road

Springfield, Illinois

Donald Miedema Obituary

Dr. Donald John Miedema 1926 - 2016
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Dr. Donald John Miedema, 89, Superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools (District 186) from 1978 through 1991, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his residence.
He was born May 29, 1926, in Detroit, MI, and grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, from the age of five. Dr. Miedema is the son of John J. and Catherine Miedema. He married MaeJean Adelberg in 1950 and she survives.
Dr. Miedema graduated with highest distinction from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and also earned Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Northwestern. In addition, he did post-doctoral studies at Columbia and Harvard Universities..
Dr. Miedema served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific (Okinawa and Japan) from 1943-1945 and also as Information and Education Officer from 1950-1952 during the Korean War at Ft. Sheridan, IL.
Prior to serving as Superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools, Dr. Miedema was Deputy Superintendent of the Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools. He also served as Superintendent of the Flossmoor, Illinois Public Schools, as Principal of the Willow School in Homewood, Illinois, and as a teacher in the Evanston, Illinois Public Schools.
During his 43 years of service in public education, Dr. Miedema was honored with numerous awards including the Illinois Curriculum Council's Distinguished Contribution To Education Award, the Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year Award, and the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Award.
Dr. Miedema's personal interests included music and classic automobiles. He played both piano and pipe organ and was past president of the boards of the Springfield and Illinois Symphony Orchestras. In Maryland, he owned a 1940 LaSalle automobile and currently has an original 1967 Dodge Dart.
Dr. Miedema was a 35 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Springfield and its IBT Sunday School Class.
Dr. Miedema is survived by his wife, MaeJean; two sons, John Miedema of Mission Viejo, CA, and Paul Miedema (wife, Imee) of Springfield; and two grandchildren, Dr. Christopher Miedema, M.D. and Grace Miedema, both of Springfield.
The family cordially invites all friends and family to a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016, at The First United Methodist Church of Springfield. For two hours prior to the start of the service, the family will receive friends and relatives in the sanctuary of the church.
Cremation was accorded and a private inurnment will be at Union Ridge Cemetery in Chicago, IL.
Memorial gifts may be made in Dr. Miedema's memory to: The Springfield Public Schools Foundation, or The Illinois Symphony Orchestra.
Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.



Published by The State Journal-Register on Mar. 29, 2016.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Miedema

Sponsored by Bisch Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





Dr. Miedema was a great teacher-- interesting, knowledgeable and warm! He contributed so much to the education of both children and adults in Springfield. What a wonderful legacy!
Peggy Ashline

April 4, 2016

On behalf of the Chesapeake Seafood House, our employees would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family. We are so very sorry for your loss. God Bless you.

Connie DeWitt

April 4, 2016

Dr. Miedema was a man who touched many lives for good and continues to do so through his children and grandchildren. The world is a lesser place without him. We send our gratitude for the way he lived his life to encourage the growth and accomplishments of others and our love to his wife and children at his passing. He has left a legacy to honor.
Carol May and all the associates of Wisdom Natural Brands

Carol May

April 2, 2016

I extend to you my most heartfelt sorrow and condolences.

Sue Hamilton

April 1, 2016

I have many fond memories of Don Miedema. He was a kind, gentle, intelligent man who loved his family and guided them through life in a most loving way. He will be missed and mourned by many but his legacy is strong and he has left the world a better place for his being here. I will miss him very much and pray that MayJean, John, Paul, and his entire family take some solace in knowing that he lives on in them. God rest his soul.

Marie Ardita

April 1, 2016

Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing or Doctor Miedema. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers and we too share in your sorrow. May you look to the Lord for strength and comfort during your time of grief over the loss of your precious loved one. Doctor Miedema was one of the finest District 186 School Superintendents that Springfield was fortunate to have.

Hank & Susan Cronister Sr

March 31, 2016

I will miss Don. For the time I knew him, he was a wonderful neighbor, extremely intelligent, well spoken, and a true gentleman. Somehow he maintained all this even as he struggled with his health. I am pray for the family and all those grieving.

Jennifer Schell

March 31, 2016

Dr. Miedema, you made a difference on our schools & how they were run, you will be missed by all, but have left your mark on life itself to remember & go on with. Prayers go out to your family & friends, My Grandmother was head dietian for school district 186 until she retired. And she to has passed, but we can carry on there legacy with Pride! Prayers to the family,
Michelle Lefrere & Family

Michelle Lefrere

March 31, 2016

For more than 60 years I have had the privilege and joy of sharing friendships with members of the wonderful Miedema/Adelberg Family. Don Miedema was one of those wonderful friends - and one of the nicest people I have ever met. Don was a loving man who extended kindness, courtesy and respect to everyone he met. With his warm personality, his kindness and patience, he held a special place in my heart. Many hearts, including mine, were touched by this one special life. Don was loved by many and will be truly missed by many. My loving thoughts and prayers are with MaeJean, John, Paul and Family and Pat. May God Bless You All.

Marjorie Carlson

March 30, 2016

Truly a wonderful man. He will be missed by so many. My deepest sympathy and prayers to all the family.

Loretta Belfiore

March 30, 2016

Rip sorry for your lost I remember him when I was in school my last name was geary

michelle cassidy

March 30, 2016

Michelle cassidy

March 30, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you Paul, your family and friends during this difficult time. May your hearts soon be filled with the many wonderful memories from over the years. Your friend from the original INB years.

Jeff Lee

March 30, 2016

Deepest Sympathy Mae Jean to you and your family. When we first joined the IBT Sunday School Class, you and Don were one ot the couples that made us feel welcomed. Thanks. Roy & Harriet Robinson

Roy Robinson

March 30, 2016

I remember visiting Dr. Don at the end of this January after my trip to Colombia to surprise him and his lovely wife with treats from my travels. He was very sweet as always and smiled the entire time, and he was alert as ever! He even offered to be a character reference for my applications. It seems like instead, I will be a reference for him at this moment of remembrance.
I regarded him as family and was accepted as such. I cannot think of a kinder man than him and we are all saddened to no longer be graced by his gentle presence. However, the impact of his life will live within us all and throughout the school district in my hometown.
Rest in peace sweet angel.
Condolences to his family.

Brittany Buckles

March 30, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Bob & Rebecca Moses

March 29, 2016

Paul, Imee and family,
We are sending our sympathy for your family upon the passing of your beloved father. His life history portrays a man who contributed so much to society. May his memories live
forever.

Kevin and Darcey Wort

March 29, 2016

I remember Dr. Miedema as Superintendent of District 186 in the 1980's. He addressed my class on several occasions for several purposes, including after the Challenger disaster. I remember him as a friendly, caring man who helped make my early school experiences positive. I did not have the privilege of knowing him personally, but it sounds like he led a highly successful and positive life. My condolences at his passing. May he rest in peace, and his family and friends be comforted.

Michael Cowden

March 29, 2016

MaeJean and family. My husband and I were sad to hear about the passing of your beloved husband and father. He was a dedicated superintendent of schools and fine man. We were on opposite sides many times as we both worked hard to provide for the best working conditions and educational opportunities for the teachers in students in Springfield. He was always a dedicated and honest superintendent. We were lucky to have him for so many years. . The last time I saw Don he was walking proudly in the airport having just returned on the Honor Flight from Washington, DC. You are in our thoughts and prayers, MaeJean.

Sue Davies-Yoggerst

March 29, 2016

You were all so blessed to have such a wonderful man in your lives. He truly lived life to the fullest and I can imagine him in the 1967 Dart! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Suzanne Johnston

March 29, 2016

R.I.P. Dr.Miedema!!

Scot Barnett

March 29, 2016

Paul, Imee and family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Paul, as well as your entire family, during this difficult time. Your father was a great man and an outstanding educator. Our deepest sympathy.

Walt and Linda Clevenger

March 29, 2016

To the family of Donald J. Miedema,

Praying for peace, love , comfort & healing.

B. Barbee former student & current employee of Springfield Public School District #186, Springfield , Illinois

March 28, 2016

Majean, John, Paul and Family, sending our sincere condolences. We did not know Don that well but knew from Pat that he was a wonderful person, she held him in the highest esteem. Sorry for your loss.
Mike & Rich

Michael Kirk

March 27, 2016

I will remember my last visit with Don as it is the way I wish to have a happy memory of him. We drove to "In and Out" burger for lunch in My Jag. Mae Jean and John followed. I,as well as family and many others, will miss a wonderful gentleman. Al Roemershauser

Al Roemershauser

March 27, 2016

MaeJean, John, Paul and Family,

Sending you my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. I will always hold special thoughts of Don and all of you. God comfort you at this time.
John Busciacco
Port Charlotte, Fl

March 26, 2016

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results

Make a Donation
in Donald Miedema's name

Memorial Events
for Donald Miedema

Apr

1

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

First United Methodist Church of Springfield

Springfield, IL

Apr

1

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First United Methodist Church of Springfield

Springfield, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Bisch Funeral Home

2931 South Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL 62711

How to support Donald's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Donald Miedema's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more