Marcella A. Merriman

May 17, 1927 - November 28, 2020

Marcella A. Merriman, age 93, of Bangor, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI. Marcella was born May 17, 1927 in Des Plaines, IL the 9th of 14 children of Aloysius and Emma (Geimer) Didier. She has lived the majority of her life in the Bangor area. Marcella was a multi-talented women, successful in many endeavors, including owning and managing a restaurant, selling real estate, and blueberry farming. But she will be most remembered for her amazing skills as a seamstress. She had an alterations business in her basement when her children were young. As the family grew, her sewing skills turned to creating horse show riding outfits, prom and wedding dresses, and numerous other creations for the family. Once she and Les retired to Lake Placid, Florida the focus of her seamstress skills changed again to creating hundreds of stuffed bears to be donated to sick children in hospitals. Many of her grandkids are proud owners of her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Then, looking for a new sewing challenge, she decided to try her hand at quilting. She took a class at her local fabric store in Florida and the rest is history. Quilting became a passion. She created hundreds of quilts for herself, family, and friends. Her most memorable moment was being honored at her 90th birthday party when family and friends came from all over the country, bringing the quilts Marcella made for them to be displayed at that party. It was a dream come true. Surviving are her 4 children, Mary Stocchiero of Bangor, Doug Merriman of Bangor, Joe (Donna) Smolinski of Farmington Hills, Dotti (Mark) Mortensen of Breedsville; 7 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Flynn of Richmond, IL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Merriman, whom she married in 1973; first husband, Walter Smolinski; 6 brothers; and 6 sisters. There will be a graveside service at 2:00 PM Wednesday, at the Arlington Hill Cemetery with Deacon John Lohrstorfer officiating. Arrangements entrusted to the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven, or River Ridge Retirement Village activities fund. The family would like to thank the staff at River Ridge for treating her like family with loving care.