Lois Emma Merriman

Lois Emma Merriman passed away December 29, 2023 at the age of 98, having lived 90 of those years in Plymouth. She was born February 2, 1925 in Royal Oak, Michigan to Howard and Helen (Cowen) Bowden. She is deeply loved and missed
by her children Greg (Jill McDonough) Merriman and Bill (Lisa Wolske) Merriman, her grandchildren Alex Merriman, Jack Merriman, Bernadette Merriman, and Casey (James) Piatt, and her great-grandchildren Greysen Motley and Illyria McClinton. She was preceded in death by her eldest son James Merriman, her parents, and siblings Robert Bowden, Helen Loveless and Betty Hunter.

After graduation from Plymouth High School in 1943, Lois was recruited by Burroughs Corp and trained as a draftswoman to assist in the war effort. She was married to Earl Norman Merriman for 28 years. After their divorce, she was the office manager for a tree service company, a home health care giver for seniors, and an avid traveller when the opportunity arose.

Lois was an avid game player. Whether backgammon, cards or a marble board game designed by her father-in-law, Leon Merriman, she was a fierce competitor.  She was an exceptional bowler with six 300 pins in her trophy collection. She also
had a talent for crochet and hook rug and created several beautiful pieces.  Lois was a beloved homemaker and mother. Her son Greg said “she made a good  home indeed.” She was devoted to her family and enjoyed passing on family history and good advice to the younger generations. Lois celebrated family, was an amazing grandma, and truly cherished her time spent with those she loved.

Cremation has taken place with inurnment at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth.  A celebration of Lois’ life will follow in June 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate charitable contributions of your choice made in Lois’ memory.  The family would also like to thank Danielle (Locke) Wood and her mother Michelle for their dedicated care of Lois for the past two years.

In honor of her grandmother, Bernadette Merriman offered the following tribute:

“One of my favorite quotes is by Helen Keller and it follows, ‘What we have once  enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.’  When I think of Grandma this quote immediately comes to mind because she has been such an integral part of our lives. I know for both Casey and I she has been a source of advice when our younger selves needed guiding. When I was very young I remember her sternness, but as the years passed I remember her humor and love.  Her ability to remember so many family facts and stories and help connect us to distant family members felt like we weren't distant at all. It was her way of staying in the know but also making us feel a part of it all along. Even when miles grew between us, she would never let it feel that way with phone conversations and letters. Games and stories with ample banter ran aplenty when we could come visit.  I mostly think that because she has been such a loving rock and grandparent that  the love we shared can never fade. She will continue to come to mind in moments when she is needed. And hopefully in moments when she just wants to remind us that that love will never fade and she is with us always in spirit. She is truly a part of us and we will carry her on as we move through the world. Our children, her great-grandchildren are armed with love, stories, and small moments too and will also carry her on. We should all be so lucky to have been loved so deeply.”