Merle M. Utter

Merle M. Utter, 98 , longtime resident of St.Ignace passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday evening, August 7 with his wife at his side after a 3 and a half year long illness. He was born March 18,1913 in Byron Center,MI His parents were Clair and Myrtle (Moore) Utter.. He graduated from high school in Hastings, and then graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Forestry. He was brought up on a farm, and told stories of farming and fishing. Upon graduation Merle took a job with the CCC\'s in the Eastern UP.. He moved to St.Ignace in 1940 from Paradise,MI. and took a job with Edison Sault Electric, working through the ranks until he was made Manager, with a total time of 38 years. Merle enjoyed many activities outside his job, loved to dance, play cards, especially pinochle; collecting agates on the shores of Lake Superior; perch fishing, herring and Lake Trout; and wiring many homes and buildings in the area. He was also on the St.Ignace Fire Department. and active member of St.Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. Merle is survived by his wife of 23 years, Betty; son Jim Utter and family of Anchorage, Alaska; Ruth Ann VanderVeen and family of Caldonia; Bill Utter (Lisa) of Manistique; Terry (Carrie) Utter of Clinton Twp; Steve (Tracey) Utter, St.Ignace; also enjoyed a relationship with Betty\'y family; Bruce and Hope Schlehuber, Moran; Vicky and Steve Sayles. Moran; Kathy and Terry Stokes, Moran; Denise and Andy Schlehuber-Tiernan, Munising; also children of Evelyn Savard Utter; Lynne and Mike Clark,Rapid River; Debbie and Farald Guilbeau, Moselle,MS; Larry McCall. Also grandchildren, number ing 19 and great grandchildren numbering 17. He was preceeded in death by his wife Ethel Beaudoin Utter in 1963; his wife Evelyn Savard Utter in 1986; a son, Robert in 1965; and a step son Mike Mccall in 1992, and a granddaughter, Tammy Schlehuber. Friends may call at the St.Ignatius Catholic Church on Wednesday from 10 am to 12 noon when a Mass of Christian burial will take place with Fr. Pawel Mecwel officiating. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Moran. Memorials may be directed to the Church, or St.Ignace Schools with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted with arragements.

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Merle M. Utter

August 7, 2011