Trending
Dec. 29, 1941 – July 5, 2024
Merlin Arthur LaFleche, affectionately known as "Mert" to his friends and family, took his final peaceful breath on July 5, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on Dec. 29, 1941, in the small town of Royston, Mert was a man whose life was as rich and fulfilling as the fields he tended.
The son of the late Alphonse and Elizabeth (Creamer) LaFleche, Mert inherited a love for the land and the simple pleasures of life. His roots ran deep in the community, and the values instilled in him on the family farm never waned throughout his 82 years. Mert's life was a testament to hard work, devotion to family, and the joy of living each day to the fullest.
After honorably serving in the Army from 1960 to 1962, Mert returned to his beloved hometown. It was there that he married the love of his life, Jacqueline "Jacki" Rigg, on July 29, 1967. Together, they cultivated a life rich in love and laughter, welcoming their children, Audra (Edward) Smith and Tim (Karen) LaFleche, into the world.
Mert's legacy continued to grow with the birth of his grandchildren, Courtney Smith (Allen VanDenboom) and Justin Smith (Lily Sager), who brought him immense joy and pride. His role as a grandfather was one he cherished with every fiber of his being, and his influence will live on in their hearts and memories.
The 10th child of a large and close-knit family, Mert is survived by his siblings Betty Dubie, Albert LaFleche, Kenneth (Geri) LaFleche, Patrick (Sue) LaFleche, Glen LaFleche, Rosemary (Art) Hunt, Peggy (Jim) Cavanagh, and Alphonse LaFleche Jr. His life was further enriched by the presence of his many nieces and nephews. Mert was preceded in death by his siblings George (Dorothy) LaFleche, Joseph (Lorene) LaFleche, Gerald (Elaine) LaFleche, Donald LaFleche, Mary Ann (Gary) Brown, and his sisters-in-law, Marjean LaFleche, Karen LaFleche, and brother-in-law, Donald Dubie.
Mert's career as a truck driver spanned many years, and his work ethic was unmatched. Though his work took him on many journeys, his heart remained firmly planted in the soil of his home.
A man of many interests, Mert found solace and happiness in the simple pleasures of life. He was often found on the tractor, working the fields with a steady hand and a serene smile. An avid sportsman, Mert enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years and later spent countless hours hunting and fishing, always in awe of nature's bounty.
Music was another of Mert's passions, and he could play the harmonica with a skill that could soothe the weariest of souls. He built deer blinds with the precision of a craftsman, and his Sundays were often filled with the lively tunes of Polka, which he loved dearly. But above all, it was the time spent with his family that Mert cherished most. He was loving and handy, a man who could fix almost anything with a little ingenuity and a lot of love.
Mert is at McWilliams Funeral Home where family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at 6 p.m. with Jim and Tom Wallen officiating. He will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Memorial donations can be made to McLaren Hospice.