James “Jim” Nelson Merillat

James “Jim” Nelson Merillat, age 87, of Tecumseh passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at home with his family by his side. He was born November 25, 1934 in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of the late Clarence Nelson and Edith Florence (Blossingham) Merillat.

Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh for over 67 years. In 1985, after 30 years, he retired from Ford Motor Company. Jim was a pilot for over 70 years, owning and operating Merillat International Airport. As a pilot, he flew many fishing expeditions in his float plane to the Arctic Circle, Alaska and Canada. In addition to being a pilot, he was a flight instructor and an aviation mechanic. He was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Aviation Owners and Pilots Association and The Seaplane Association. Besides his love for aviation, he enjoyed building and designing many things.

Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Krystal (Harold) White, Theresa (Rene) Ramirez, Renee (Donald) Rutledge and Anthony (Shelley) Merillat; honorary son, Kevin Colgan; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Charity) Wright, Craig (Gloria) Wright, Jeremiah (Courtney) Villarreal, Alicia (Jordan Charles) Keller, Cristy (Brian) Justice, Danielle Merillat and Anthony (Hannah Kronbach) Villarreal; he was blessed with many great-grandchildren and all of his aviation family. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Merillat, and a special niece, Carrie Lynn Merillat.

Visitation for Jim was held on Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial was in Brookside Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post #4187. Online condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.