Merle Laverne Hecksel

It is with deep gratitude for his life, love, and labor that we announce the homecoming of Merle Laverne Hecksel, age 88, who entered his rest with our Lord and Savior on March 13, 2026. Merle was born at home on the farm in Coopersville, Michigan on August 28, 1937. From his beginning, hard work, service, love of family, and faith in Christ were the pillars of his life. The majority of his youth was spent in Coopersville.

With an eldest sister Betty, Merle was the middle son of three boys (Roger, Merle, William R.) to William and Emilia Hecksel. The three boys, being very close in age, would set off on many adventures together. When an aunt visiting from Chicago gifted the young boys sailor suits, they put them on, hurried down to the creek to sail their toy boats. Much to the horror of their aunt and their mother, they returned to the house with very muddy and soiled suits.

Merle would tell stories from his years in a one room school house. One Christmas season, he and some classmates were delegated to cut down a Christmas tree for their school teacher. They topped a tall pine tree that stood out bare among the other full trees for many years to come.

In 1948 the family had a short stint in Amble, Michigan, fulfilling their father’s dream of owning a tavern. They returned to the farm in Coopersville, and Merle would recall driving to school with a farm permit as a very young teenager. He graduated from Coopersville High School in 1955. He also took some short courses at Michigan State. In later years, he enjoyed gathering with his “Double Nickel” classmates to plan and celebrate their class reunions.

In the early 1960’s, Merle met a city girl from Grand Rapids at a dance hall in Ravenna. He dated Sandra (Davidson) for a couple of years, and she became the love of his life. He convinced her to move to the country life of Coopersville and they were married in the fall of 1964. They settled in a house just down the road from where Merle had grown up.

In addition to farm life, Merle’s early jobs included running construction equipment and managing construction crews. He also served for a period of time in the National Guard. At one construction job, he would drive round trip to Howell in a day to lay water lines. He rose to become the unofficial crew leader, recalling many instances where he had to make order out of the chaos created by the designated leader. He also spent some time working in the factory for his father-in-law at Davidson Parlor Frames. However, the indoor work was not for this farm boy.

Merle’s dad had often spoken of being a well driller. Both needing wells for their homes, Merle and his brother Bill bought a drill rig in 1965. With the idea that they could make a good living by drilling a few wells every year, they began M & W Hecksel Bros. Well Drilling. They largely learned by trial and error from the school of hard knocks. Working sun up to sun down, they grew their operation into a highly respected business with thousands of loyal customers. On many occasions, Merle would sacrifice holiday and family time helping customers at all hours of the day and night to get them back in water. He built lifelong relationships and friendships with his customers, suppliers, and peers. He would recall the joy and pride of drilling a well and finding water. His biggest frustration was drilling a dry hole.

Merle was known for being a tough boss. His work ethic and drive were unmatched. He would still be in the trench digging in his 70’s, outworking his 18-year-old employees. He took great pride in his work, and expected hard work and efficiency. He was sometimes sarcastically referred to as “Mr. Patience.” However, his employees also knew his deep concern and familial love towards them. He also used the business to support the 4-H programs at the Berlin Fair. After being a partner with his son, Steve, for 15 years, Merle would retire from Hecksel Bros. Well Drilling, LLC in 2018.

On December 7, 1967, Merle suffered an injury to his hand that would impact the rest of his life. While greasing gears on a crane, his glove got caught in a sprocket. He would recall the blessings of God that a highly skilled hand surgeon happened to be in town for a conference and was able to reconstruct his two remaining fingers into a very functional grip. He wielded a pipe wrench so well that many customers wouldn’t notice the missing fingers. His grandchildren would affectionately call it his “pinchers.”

In the months of rehab after the accident, Merle started taking some business classes. At the encouragement of an instructor, he decided to run for Polkton Township Treasurer. He won that first election and continued to run unopposed for the next 32 years. Township residents would remember him for his gentle smile and his bowl of candy. His kids would recall the family sessions of stuffing envelopes, licking stamps and mailing property tax statements twice every year.

As a lifelong member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Nunica, MI, Merle was baptized in September of 1937. He stood in front of his congregation and confirmed his faith on May 31, 1953. At church Merle served in many different capacities over the years, including Sunday school superintendent, elder, usher, and trustee. The well he and his brother drilled still serves St. Luke to this day. He exhibited his faith in his desire to serve and help others.

Merle was an avid hunter. He was blessed with over 30 annual hunting trips to Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. Up until his passing, he was the last surviving member of his core group of hunters. His passion was hunting whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk. Merle’s last hunting trip was November 2017 to Colorado where, at 80 years old, he climbed 50 feet up a rock and shot a 5 x 5 elk from 175 yards.

Merle's charm and hospitality were second to none. He would welcome anyone with open arms and treat them like family. He hosted many hayrides, church picnics, and August Birthday parties. If you ever had one of his cocktails you knew he was a strong pour and a ready refill. He made sure your glass was never empty. He and his brothers all taught us that “Ice Makes A Drink!”

Merle and Sandy became parents in July of 1968. Together they raised 3 daughters (Connie, Julie and Sharon) and one son (Steve). Merle encouraged his children to participate in 4-H and was instrumental in their market beef projects at the Berlin Fair. His tutelage and assistance resulted in two Reserve Champion steers and two Grand Champion steers. He was also a host father to exchange students from Norway and Sweden. He loved Rita (Magnor) Kilvaer and Sofia (Magnus) Gustafson as much as his own children, traveling to Europe to visit them.

Merle’s biggest joy was becoming a grandfather in December 2000. He and Sandy rushed to the hospital to meet their new granddaughter, Emma. Over the years the list of grandchildren grew with the additions of Owen, Luke, Ellie, Sylvia, Joel, Liam, and Wesley. Merle loved to attend their sporting events and band concerts. He was a fixture at their swimming, wrestling, basketball, soccer, softball, baseball, and tennis games and matches.

Even while Merle was still working full days in his 70’s, he was the biggest kid of all when he was with his grandchildren. He would come home from work and immediately take them on adventures through the neighboring properties and the gulley behind his house. Much to the chagrin of their parents, some of the adventures resulted in grandchildren going to soccer games in muddy uniforms. When the snow fell, Merle would be the first to get the sleds out for the grandkids. He would ride down the hill right beside them and groom the hill with his tractor. One Easter Sunday, he climbed the maple tree in his yard to retrieve their kite. The whole family marveled of his energy and agility at his age. His grandchildren would brag to their friends about their “grandpa with a 6-pack.” He would be slow getting ready for church, but suddenly find energy to chase his grandchildren around the kitchen table.

As strokes and dementia started to afflict him in 2017, his work ethic, drive, love, faith and passion continued to the end. He commonly asked where he could get a job and where he could get a truck. The community rallied around him and his family in April in 2022 when his desire for a new truck led him to go missing. The community’s love for him showed when hundreds of people hit the roads looking for him. The family was humbled and honored by the celebration when he was discovered to be in his own attic. He was already a man of limited mobility at the time. When asked how he got up there, he quipped, “One step at a time.”

He enjoyed spending time at the Little Red House in Spring Lake. When he was picked up at the end of the day, his family drivers would ask how is day was. His response was always, “Every day is a good day.” This kind disposition carried over to his great relationships with caregivers while at home with hospice.

Merle’s faith carried him through to the end. When his words were limited, the Lord’s Prayer could be heard loud, clear, and confident from his mouth. We rejoice that his struggle is over and he has been welcomed into the arms of our loving savior, Jesus Christ.

Merle is united in Heaven with his parents, William and Emelia (Porcher) Hecksel, brother Roger Hecksel, sister and brother-in-law Betty and James Mackay, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ed and Barb Termeer, and sister-in-law Marla Hecksel. Merle leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years Sandra (Davidson) Hecksel, his brother Bill Hecksel, sister-in-law Joan Hecksel, his children Connie Hecksel, Julie (Steven) Norman, Sharon (Pat) Sanford, and Steven (Sarah) Hecksel. He also leaves his precious grandchildren Emma Norman (fiancé Trevor Bickelhaupt), Owen Norman, Luke Sanford, Sylvia Sanford, Joel Sanford, Elizabeth Hecksel, Liam Hecksel, and Wesley Hecksel, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Merle and his family will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 17122 2nd St, Nunica, MI 49448 on Tuesday, March 17 from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 17122 2nd St, Nunica, MI 49448 on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00am, with Rev. Micah Brooks officiating and a greeting time beginning at 10:00am. A lunch will be provided following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations can be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church and Faith Hospice. Condolences for the family may be left on Merle’s guestbook at www.throopfh.com.

“Come to me, all who labor who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Throop Funeral Home

Coopersville, 616-837-8161