Merle Sowles

Merle Dean "Peewee" Sowles, age 83, of Stanton, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 6, 2021, surrounded by his family. The son of Floyd & Myrtle (Weatherbee) Sowles, he was born on May 14, 1938 in Edmore. He met the love of his life, Rosalie Jeanette Downing, and they were married on November 23, 1956 in Ionia, and enjoyed 65 years of marriage. Merle worked for Knight Implement in Stanton for several years, and at Parr & Son in McBride, retiring after 32 years of service. An avid deer hunter, he liked to tinker around in the garage and enjoyed riding around on the side by side. He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters; and five brothers. Surviving are his wife, Rosalie Sowles of Stanton; their children, Sandy & Gary, Yearyean, Lisa & Brian Buskirk, Kevin & Mary Sowles, and Douglas Sowles; his grandchildren, Amanda & Clinton Moomey, Sarah & Jon Peterson, Samantha & Jeremy Slater, Lexi & Al Sowles, Ashley & Michael Pearson, Lydia Sowles, and Owen Maybee; his great-grandchildren, Robert Sherman, Jaden Sherman, Madison Slater, Brooklyn Weiner, Jenna Sowles, Caymon Moomey, and Ryder Moomey; and many nieces and nephews. The family extends their special thanks to Sparrow Home Hospice and to Gary Yearyean, Merle's son-in-law and devoted caregiver. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merle Sowles, please visit our flower store.