John "Pete" Merrifield

John H. Merrifield II, 61, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011 unexpectedly at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. Cremation has taken place and burial of his ashes will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. There will be a vigil service Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Mt. Pleasant High School Baseball Program. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Pete was born October 25, 1949 in Mt. Pleasant, the son of John and Mildred (Collard) Merrifield. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Archey on May 3, 1969 at Sacred Heart Church. A graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Pete received his Bachelors degree in accounting from Central Michigan University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1967 " 1970 having served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. Petes happiest times were vacationing with his children and grandchildren at many lakes, parks and special trips to Florida. He especially cherished the annual week at the cottage with the entire family. He also enjoyed darts, golfing (especially with his buddy George), sudoku and baseball. He coached Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion Baseball League in New London, WI for many years. Pete leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Kathleen; three children, John III (Kelly) Merrifield of DeWitt, David (Jamie) Merrifield of Mt. Pleasant and Amanda (A.J.) Medalen of Byron Center; grandchildren, Sam and Ben Merrifield of DeWitt, Abby, Noelle, Madelynn and Jaxon Merrifield of Mt. Pleasant and Grace, Lily and Drew Medalen of Byron Center; three sisters, Karen (Howard) Sageman, Nadine (Jack) Voisin both of Mt. Pleasant, and Janice (Tom) DeYoung of Grandville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Carl and Mary Archey and a brother, Dennis. Pete will always be remembered as the best husband, dad , grandpa, brother, uncle and friend by all who loved him. We will love and miss him forever.