Merle Duane Baese

    Merle Duane Baese, age 89, of Elsie, MI, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

    A Memorial Service will be held at the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, with Pastor Ava Euper officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church.

   Merle was born in Elsie, Michigan on June 4, 1933, the son of Onas Penn and Thelma Irene (Doten) Baese. He graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1951. Merle married Carol Elizabeth Bancroft on January 19, 1958. They celebrated sixty-five years of marriage.

     Merle retired from MMPA as a lab technician in 1999. He was a past union president of Local #86. Merle was a volunteer EMT with the Elsie Ambulance for more than forty years. He was a referee for MHSAA in football, basketball, baseball, and softball for many years. He was a lifelong member of the Elsie Lions Club, Lions Club All State Band, and the Elsie United Methodist Church.  Merle proudly served his country in the United States Army in Korea. He was a lifelong member of the Elsie American Legion. Merle helped provide military honors for funerals and participated in many local parades.  Merle enjoyed sports and he was an avid University of Michigan fan. Merle and Carol loved family trips, camping and wintering in Florida. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.  

   He is survived by his wife Carol Baese of Elsie, MI; daughters: Janice and Wayne Swender of South Whitley, IN; Kathleen and Mark Shook of Carmel, IN; son Kevin and Jodi Baese of Elsie, MI; grandchildren: Kurt and Abby Swender, Kaleb and Natalie Swender, Jocelyn and Matthew Dugan, Victoria and Michael Stout, Cayden Baese and Shelby Tengler, and Madison Baese; and great-grandchildren: Oliver and Elsie Swender. He is also survived by sisters: Mary Lou Hanold, and Diane and Richard Bates; brothers: Gale and Marcella Baese, and Richard Baese and Linda Collins, sisters-in-law: Shirley Baese and Dorothy Baese; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Versil Baese; Robert (Shirley) Baese; Eldon (Jean) Baese; Lewis Baese; Raymond Baese; Owen Baese and Bryce Kevin Baese; sister Onalee (Jerry) Austin; and brother-in-law Ed Hanold.

     Memorials may be made to WOES Polka Palace, Elsie United Methodist Church, or the Elsie Lions Club. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.