Shirley Ann Merlington age 83 died Sunday, October 4, 2020 at her son’s home surrounded by family. Shirley was born in Cedar Springs on July 23, 1937 to Murville “Charlie” and Shirley (Empie) Misner. She and her husband Ronny were lifelong Cedar Springs residents. Shirley was Executive Director of the Red Flannel Festival for 13 years and was Grand Marshal in 2015. She also served as Director of the Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, served on the Cedar Springs Board of Education, Cedar Springs Women’s Club, Glen Hill Unit Past President, and was 5th District President of The American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. Other positions include the Board of Review, the DDA, the Elections Commission and the Selective Service Board. In her early years she won Miss Sand Lake Pageant and competed in the Miss Michigan Pageant finishing in the top four. Shirley and Ronny loved everything that had to do with Cedar Springs! In their retirement years, Shirley and Ronny loved going to the “Soaring Eagle”. She was very passionate about her Michigan State Spartans. Surviving are her children, Dominic and Christine Merlington, Robert and Amy Merlington; grandchildren, Rebekah Merlington, Robert Burmeister, Kristofer Merlington, Ethan Robinson, Elizabeth Robinson; sisters, Verdena (Jude) Martin, Lou Ellen (Gene) Fisk, Marlene Ledford, Joyce Johnson; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronny; siblings, Nancy Westervelt, Janet Hunt, Mick and Arlo Misner. The family greeted friends Wednesday, October 7 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. A private family service was held Thursday. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Springs Community Building Development Team 15022 Ritchie Ave. Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Brandon M. Empie

Brandon M. Empie, 23, a 2012 graduate of Tri County High School, is currently home on leave and took part in Memorial Day ceremonies with the Cedar Springs American Legion. He joined the Air Force almost five years ago on September 11, 2012. Brandon has served two years at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England; was deployed from there to Arba Minch in Ethiopia for six months; and is currently stationed at Andrews Air Force base near Washington D.C.

Brandon is a security forces member and is certified as a response force leader.

He is the son of Matthew Empie and Jenifer Smigiel, and grandson of Rusch and Pat Merlington, and Don and Lucille Empie.

The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate Burdette Helenius of Cedar Springs. Burdette’s winning ticket for the Rifle Raffle was drawn on November 12.  Pictured is Burdette holding his new Remington 7mm Mag and Squadron 287 Commander Dominic Merlington.

Tracy Merlington, of Pierson, with the Post, at the Caribbean island of Curacao.

Angela LaBay and Tracy Merlington on their Best Friends Forever Cruise.

Tracy Merlington, of Pierson, and Angela LaBay, of Cedar Springs, went on a Best Friends Forever Cruise of a lifetime encore last spring. The two had previously gone on a 12-day cruise in June of 1985, with Angela’s parents, on the cruise line Stimar, on the beautiful Fairwind. “ We had visited many ports along with Curacao, and I couldn’t wait to take her and revisit that port along with Grand Turk and Aruba,” explained LaBay.

Last spring’s cruise was out of Port Canaveral on the Carnival Sunshine and lasted 8 days.

Thanks for taking us with you on your beautiful cruise!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!

Ronny Merlington

 Ronny R. Merlington, 76 of Cedar Springs, died Sunday, April 13, 2014 at Spectrum Health-United Memorial Hospital. Ronny was born September 1, 1937 in Pierson, MI the son of Robert and Ruth (Madison) Merlington. He graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1955 and received a Bachelor degree from Michigan State University. He taught school in Sand Lake for 2 years and then for the next 36 years for Cedar Springs Public Schools. He was a coach for 20 years for football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his dedication as an educator, he had a passion for public service. He served as a Cedar Springs Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem, and Mayor. He was a member and chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for 25 years. He was a member of Squadron 287 of the Sons of The American Legion and an officer and Detachment Commander of the entire state of Michigan and National Executive Committee Man. In retirement, he was a licensed trainer and enjoyed his horses and harness racing with his wife, Shirley. He was an avid hunter for his entire life and had a perfect record on successful deer hunts. Surviving are his wife, Shirley Ann (Misner); children, Dominic (Christine) Merlington, Robert (Amy) Merlington; grandchildren, Rebekah Merlington, Robert Burmeister, Kristofer Merlington, Ethan Robinson, Elizabeth Robinson; brother, Russel (Patricia) Merlington; sister, Rosalynn Wall; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rex Merlington and sister, Rosanne Morris. The family received friends Tuesday, April 15 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services were held on Wednesday, April 16. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Springs Museum, Cedar Springs Public Library, or the Cedar Springs Community Food Pantry.

HERB & GAIL MERLINGTON

Herb and Gail Merlington, of Cedar Springs, will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. They were married on March 30, 1963 in the Methodist Church in Cedar Springs. Their children are Robert L. Merlington, Todd & Laura Merlington and Michelle Merlington. They have 7 grandchildren, Justin, Jon, Cody, Frazier, Tyler, Alexis & Alyana. Herb & Gail believe the secret to their marriage is communication, love and understanding.

“Modern” Woodmen lodge members help an ill neighbor (Burch), in potato harvesting at Solon Center, circa 1915. Back row (L to R): Charley Terrell, Walter Spathe, Emmory Goodell, Alvin Heiss Sr., Guy Eyers, Ray Bloomfield, Sherm Smith. Front row (L to R): Chauncey Weller, unknown, Berny Goodell, Ira Goodell or Gerald Bloomfield, Morgan Smith, Glenn Heiss, Ernest Weller, Denny Noonen, Alvin Heiss, Jim Bloomfield.

Last week we printed a photo belonging to Donie Allington, 81, of Solon Township, and submitted by her son, Len. We asked if anyone knew anything about the photo or the people in it. Donie knew the men were Modern woodmen lodge members helping a neighbor dig potatoes, and that one of the men in the photo was her grandfather.
Imagine our surprise when Gail and Herb Merlington came in this week with a Post from 1993—a Post where we had not only printed the same photo, but had all the names (or most of them) as well!
It turns out that Gail saved that Post because not only are both her grandfathers in the photo, but she also grew up in the house that was pictured. Located south of 19 Mile, on the east side of Algoma, the house is still standing today. “The porch is now gone, but that window on the front is still there,” said Herb.
Gail lived in the home from the time she was born, with her parents, Sue (Magoon) and Robert Champlin, until she and Herb, who moved up from Lansing, were married, in 1963. Gail graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1961. She said she remembers her grandfather, Sherman Smith, living with them. She also said that her other grandfather, Charley Terrell, lived in the house on the northwest corner of Algoma and 19 Mile, and had a general store next to the house. Both Charley Terrell and Sherman Smith are in the photo.
The photo in the 1993 edition appears to have been printed in courtesy of the Cedar Springs Historical Society. Donie’s grandfather, Chauncey Weller, is indeed in the photo, as was an uncle, Ernest Weller. The picture says it was circa 1915.

The Sons of the American Legion, Glen Hill Squadron 287, of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate John Twork of Holton, MI.  John’s winning ticket for our annual Rifle Raffle was drawn on November 12.  Pictured are John Twork and SAL Commander Dominic Merlington.

50th ANNIVERSARY

Pat and Russel Merlington of Cedar Springs are celebrating theit 50th Anniversary on September 22, 2011. Their children are Debra Cumings & John Rutherford, Jenifer & Aaron Smigiel; grandchildren Joshua, Matthew, Shana, Shamar, Becker, Marcus, Amanda, Brandon, Tiffany, Kaylee, Destiny & Liberty; great-grandchild Noah. Mr. & Mrs. Russel Merlington will be celebrating their anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada and they will welcome any cards. Please send to: PO Box 244, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Their secret to a long successful marriage is a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “Its not the years in a life, it’s the life in the years.”

I would like to thank all my relatives and friends who attended my 80th birthday party and made it such a memorable day for me. A special thanks to my children for all their work making it a “day to remember.”

Kay F. Merlington

Have you subscribed yet to the Cedar Springs Post? If not, you are missing out on a chance to win some great prizes from local businesses!
You, too, can win by subscribing to the Post for only $25 per year. Fill out the entry form on this page and mail, or subscribe through our website (www.cedarspringspost.com) using Paypal.
This week’s winners are:
*Rosemary and Michael Gray, of Courtland Township, won a dinner for two from the Cedar Springs Big Boy, located on the corner of 17 Mile and White Creek in Cedar Springs.
*Dominic Merlington, of Solon Township, won a large one-topping pizza from Hungry Howie’s on the corner of Main and Muskegon St. in Cedar Springs.
*Selene Marsteiner, of Solon Township, won four movie passes to the Kent Theatre in Cedar Springs.
Winners must pick up their prizes HERE at the Post within 14 days or the prize will be awarded to someone else. We are open from 9-5 Monday through Friday. Please call 696-3655 to make other arrangements.
Thanks so much to the businesses partnering with us in this drive! If you are a business who would like to donate a prize, call us at 696-3655.
*Subscribers are assigned a number, and then chosen at random through a computer website, www.random.org.

Thank you to all of this week’s subscribers!

Kathryn  & Donald Poling
Jerry & Norma Engelman
Ed & Alice Jackson
Bradley Grove
William & Billie Cichewicz
Edward & Carol Hordyk
Angela Cowell
Muriel Casterline
William & Esther Elliot
Vicki & Sam Peterson
Angela Roberts

Kay F. Merlington

Please join us in celebrating at Tri-County Eagles #4467, 32 E. Lake St., Sand Lake from 2-5pm on April 2nd. Lunch will be served & no gifts please.