Merle M. Hendricks

Merle M. Hendricks age 87, of Tecumseh, left his earthly home for his heavenly home on June 23, 2015, under the care of Hospice, at the Hospice House of Lenawee. He was born December 4, 1927, in Pioneer, Ohio, to Rev. Harold H. and Vera (Douglas) Hendricks. On December 12, 1947, he married Evelyn E Gregg, the love of his life, in Adrian, Mich. She preceded him in death in 2010.Merle was a graduate of Adrian High School, Class of 1946. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army, after serving in Saipan, during the end of World War II. The majority of his working career was spent on the family's dairy farm, where he and Evelyn provided a wonderful environment full of life lessons for their three daughters. In 1969, he went to work for the City of Tecumseh Waste Water Treatment plant, retiring as superintendent in 1990. He was an active member of the First Church of the Brethren in Adrian, Mich., and the Gideons International. He also shared his love of God through his singing.He had a natural mechanical ability to achieve anything he set his mind to. He spent numerous hours working on his favorite hobby, the beloved backhoe.Merle is survived by three daughters, Karen (Roy) Waycaster of Tecumseh, Janice (Wayne) Edwards of Grand Rapids, and Beverly (Rick) Koebbe of Boise, Idaho; three granddaughters, Michelle Wiles of Dublin, Calif., Jena (Dave) Feigel of Grand Rapids, and Kristen (Morgan) McGovert of Eagle, Idaho; three great-grandchildren, Ty and Ava McGovert, and Letty Feigel; six step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.He is also survived by his sister, Catherine Choske of Tecumseh, and sister-in-law, Betty Hendricks of Adrian.Besides his loving wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Noble and Odessa Gregg, sister LaMoyle Shearer; brothers Dr. Doyle Hendricks and Stanley Hendricks; sister-in-law, Ina Hendricks; and brother-in laws, George Choske and Clarence Shearer.Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2015, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Rev. David Morton officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh with Military Honors conducted by the Michigan Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2015, at the funeral home.A special thanks to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Lenawee.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee, or Gideons International.Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.