Gene L. Myers

Gene L. Myers, age 82, of Livonia, passed away on December 27, 2019. Born August 16, 1937 in Sturgis, Michigan to the late Thurston & Marjorie Myers. Devoted husband of 56 years to Janet (West). Beloved father of Robert Myers and Lynsey (Andrew) Mac. Proud grandfather of Jacob Myers, Ryan Mac, Chloe Mac, and Alex Mac. Dear brother of Jack (Kristine) Myers, Dianne (Jim) Borowiec and Gregory Applegate. Proceeded in death by brothers Stanley Myers and William Applegate and by his step-father Charles Applegate. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Shirley Myers and Patricia Applegate, and many nieces and nephews.
Gene died peacefully in palliative care at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, MI two days after suffering a massive stroke. His wife and children were by his side. Prior to the stroke, Gene had been suffering from Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s-related dementia.
Gene grew up in Whitmore Lake, MI. His early life was not an easy one, but his mother, grandmother, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins provided much love and small adventures. He couldn’t have been more proud of his mother’s talent on the piano, and he adored her pot roast and strawberry-rhubarb pie. Days on his aunt and uncle’s farm provided many memories and he relished his close ongoing connection with them. He had an avid interest in tracing his family tree through the exchange of hand- written letters, emails, and researching archives. The history Gene had collected proved to be a great source of meaningful conversations during the dementia-stage of his life.
He enjoyed telling stories of his early jobs – delivering telegrams on a bike to all areas of Ann Arbor, working at Barton Hills Country Club, and waiting tables at The Canopy. These opportunities provided him the glimpses into Ann Arbor’s beauty, a place he always wanted to live.
He attended Eastern Michigan University where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma. He received his Bachelor’s in Education and later went on to earn his Master’s in Library Science from the University of Michigan. He enjoyed his friendships with his Fraternity brothers, diagramming complex sentences, reading long biographical works, beautiful cursive handwriting, and collecting postcards.
Gene met Janet on Eastern Michigan’s campus and later married on April 13, 1963. Together they had children and grandchildren who remain nearby, allowing them to share wonderful times together: teaching them how to plant flowers, appreciate nature, and play classic games like chess and Twixt. Gene enjoyed camping with his family and friends at a special campground in the Upper Peninsula, traveling through Europe and dancing with his wife, spending winters in Florida, and good times with old friends. At the onset of Gene’s Parkinson’s, they found special friendships in the Florida and Michigan Parkinson’s Support Groups. These groups had become invaluable to the Myers Family.
Family and friend visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2020, from 3:00pm – 8:00pm at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home 280 South Main St, Plymouth.
A Memorial Service celebrating Gene’s life will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Gene L. Myers to the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, 30400 Telegraph Road- Suite 150- Bingham Farms, MI 48025.