Merle Edwina Sears

Merle Edwina Sears, age 73 of Middleville, Michigan, went home to be with her loving Savior on March 30, 2018.

Merle was born on February 11, 1945 in Vicksburg, Michigan, the daughter of Marcellus and Veronica (Weiler) Claypool.   She attended Thornapple Kellogg High School, in Middleville, graduating in 1963.   Merle married Donald Sears on August 9, 1963 and they have enjoyed 54 years together.

Merle worked for the Hastings Dairy Queen for 17 years.  She ran a Home Day Care business for 20 years.   She enjoyed bowling, sewing, shopping and going to garage sales with husband, Don.  Merle also enjoyed playing and coaching softball in her younger years for the Nashville Baptist Church. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents, Marcellus and Veronica Claypool and brother Judson Claypool.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, children, Scott (Nita) Sears, Reneé (Lenny) Brummel, Randy (Kathy) Sears, April Keillor, Rachel (Allen) Burton,  grandchildren;  John (Amber), Samantha (Daniel), Randi Lee (David), A.J., Dustin, Bradly, Jason, Zachary, Alexis (Paul), Bailey, LeLand, and Waylon, great-grandchildren; James, Naomi, Lydia, Lane, MacKenzie and Wyatt, brothers, Norman (Marge) Claypool, Mark (Sandy) Claypool, Roger (Norma) Claypool.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 2, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Girrbach Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Freeport Cemetery. A luncheon will follow interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to "The Cottages" at Thornapple Manor, 2700 Nashville Rd., Hastings, MI  49058.