Lois Anne Merkle, 82, of Union City passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024 at her home, under hospice care, surrounded by her loving family.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI 49094, with Pastor Brandon Crawford officiating.
Lois was born on June 10, 1942, to Leonard and Lucille (Campbell) Berean in Detroit, Michigan.
Leonard moved the family to Athens, Michigan when Lois was young and opened the Berean Drug Store. She started working for her father at the drug store when she was in 8th grade.
Lois attended school in Athens and met her future husband, Dick Merkle, while attending Athens High School. She graduated with the class of 1960 and she and Dick were married two years later on July 1, 1962. They have been together ever since.
Lois worked for State Farm in Marshall and Quality Aluminum in Coldwater over the three years Dick was going to Olivet College. Dick took a teaching job in Beaverton, Michigan, so they moved up there in December 1966.
Lois and Dick welcomed twin boys, Richard and Nicholas, in June 1968 and their daughter, Vicki, three years later in October 1971. During this time, Lois was a stay-at-home mom.
After the children were all in school, Lois accepted a job at Robinson Industry, near Beaverton. Eventually, she moved on to work at Taunt Electric as an office manager in Gladwin. While Lois was working full-time, she also became the official stat keeper for Dick’s teams, as he was coaching high school sports for 21 years.
Lois and her husband moved back to the local area in 2000. They stayed in Marshall for six months before settling in Union City. This is where she discovered that her favorite pastime was babysitting her great niece and nephews, which she did for 10 years. She really loved working with children.
Lois is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Dick Merkle; her children, Richard Jr., Vicki, Nicholas and his wife Lacresha; brother, Leonard Berean of Texas, sister Mary Cline of Tel Hai, Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Courtney Merkle and Jaelyn Merkle, and her very close friend, Grace Burr.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Amy Perkins. She will be missed by many.
Any contributions considered, may be made to: Oaklawn Hospice, 13444 Preston Drive, Marshall, MI 49068.
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