Merle Thompson of Wayland died Monday evening, Dec. 9, at the Butterworth campus of Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. He was 81.
Merle was best known for his love of fishing and classic cars and trucks. His most prized car was a 1957 Chevy 210 with a 283 PowerPak engine. It was rumored to be the car to beat, but friends who knew him best said that it wasn’t the car, it was the driver.
He would spend hours talking with anyone about cars or fishing, but his favorite way to spend time was being with family – even if it was just sitting around the table joking and laughing. After he retired from Budres Lumber Company he enjoyed making memories with his family on several vacations.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Leslie Thompson; son, Craig Thompson and his wife, Andrea (Binion) Thompson; daughter, Tonya Cheyne and her husband, Damon Cheyne; and numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends who have become chosen family (far too many to name). He and Leslie lived at their Maple Street house in Wayland for 53 years.
A celebration of life service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at United Church of Wayland, 411 Superior St. A dessert reception and time of visitation will follow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
