Merwyn Brookins

Merwyn "Bill" William Brookins age 81, of Elsie, MI, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Shiawassee County Medical Care Facility, Corunna, Michigan.

A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes-Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. with Pastor Marty Gordon officiating.  Private Family burial will take place at Maple grove Cemetery, Ovid, MI.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

Bill was born on July, 27, 1934 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of John and Mildred (Brown) Brookins.  He lived his early years on the family farm.

Bill graduated from Ovid High School in 1953 and was united in marriage to Janet Gail (Myers) Brookins on January 10, 1954 in Middlebury Township, Michigan.  Bill continued farming crops, raising sheep, and Black Angus cattle on the farm.  He also worked as a professional truck driver for over 45 years, continuing to farm when home, with his son, Kirk, for many years.

Bill enjoyed farming, working on his truck, and helping others.  He believed that there were no strangers, only friends he had yet to meet.  Bill had fond memories of his farming days and appreciated others who remembered those times as well.  Bill loved his family and cherished sharing dinners, playing dominoes, and watching game shows with them.

Merwyn is survived by his wife, Janet Gail Brookins and their children, Kirk and Doreen Brookins of Elsie, MI and Kimberly and Clayton Morrice of Sheboygan, WI.  He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Melissa Morrice, Travis Brookins, Marty and Sabrina Morrice, Jeremiah Brookins, Jessica and Adam Bosarge and Kayleen and Jerry Tkaczyk, also his great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Benjamin, Harlow, and Kaitlyn.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Caroline in 1935, his father, John in 1955, and his mother, Mildred in 2002.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Middlebury United Methodist Church, Ovid, MI  or to the Brookins family.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes-Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.