Cover photo for Merry Ellen Eason's Obituary
Merry Ellen Eason Profile Photo
1949 Merry 2023

Merry Ellen Eason

July 30, 1949 — March 16, 2023

Merry Ellen Eason passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was born July 30, 1949, in Marshall, MI daughter of the late Lloyd J. and Meredythe (Frost) Eason. Merry Ellen is survived by her loving partner Jim Keeler; siblings William (Brenda) Eason, Thomas (Anna) Eason, Kathy Papke; Jim’s siblings, Herb Keeler (Dottie), Karen Brindley (Thomas), and many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and both sets of grandparents.

Merry Ellen attended Lakeview Schools and graduated in the class of 1967. She received both BA and MA degrees from Western Michigan University, and was inducted into the Whose Who in America’s Universities and Colleges.

Merry Ellen followed in her mother’s footsteps in education and started her career at Harper Creek Schools in 1972 as a social studies/crafts teacher.  She continued her passion of learning to become Harper Creek Schools’ Director of Technology. She was blessed with her longtime friend Kathy Rizor as her technology partner. They were a dynamic duo in bringing computer technology to Harper Creek students and teachers.  In 2007, Merry Ellen received the Technology Coordinator Award of Excellence.

Merry Ellen and Jim were a team and they had 34 wonderful years together. They enjoyed their time together and traveled extensively, with trips across the country as well as Europe, Africa and New Zealand, both on their own and with Merry Ellen’s father and sister.

There are many, many examples of Merry Ellen’s compassion and generosity.  Among them were donations to numerous animal and environmental charities; then she would take the little reward gifts (notepads, pens, hats, etc.) and give them to the elementary schools to encourage kids.  Her gift-finding radar was legendary, no matter the season or the store.  She hosted a Halloween party for 30 years with pumpkin carving in the garage (25 plus pumpkins) and a big potluck.  Merry Ellen loved the Farmers’ Market – the flowers she selected there each week were then placed on the Eason grave at Fort Custer and the Keeler grave at Mt. Everest.

The family invites you to join them in a celebration of Merry Ellen’s life on March 25, at Langeland Funeral Home, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Visitation is at 9:30a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon afterward.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Humane Society of South-Central Michigan or the Merry Ellen Eason Scholarship Fund at Harper Creek Educational Foundation, c/o Battle Creek Community Foundation, 38 W. Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (checks payable to Eason-BCCF). To view Merry Ellen’s personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Merry Ellen Eason, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, March 25, 2023

9:30 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Langeland Family Funeral Home Burial & Cremation Services

3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Langeland Family Funeral Home Burial & Cremation Services

3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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