By Staff
Zane M. Sheeley, 84, of Niles and formerly of Homosassa, Fla., died on March 23, 2008, at 1:55 p.m. in Seven Rivers Community Hospital Crystal River, Fla., after a short illness.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in the Swem Funeral Home, Buchanan. Pastor Pat Ramsden officiated.
He was born on May 11, 1923, in Buchanan, as one of eight children to the late Robert and Ruth (Swank) Sheeley.
On Aug. 29, 1942, he married his sweetheart, Meryl Lorelei Pierce, who survives. They were married for 65 wonderful years and where you saw Zane, Lorelei was by his side.
Sheeley was an Army veteran and served in World War II in the Philippines and new Guinea. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW post in Buchanan.
Sheeley owned Schilling Beverage in Niles and also worked as a salesman for Bud Kerly Distribution in Stevensville.
His many interests included reading, reciting poetry, traveling with his wife, panning for gold and metal detecting.
He had become an accomplished wine maker and brew master.
He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and brother and will never be forgotten.
Surviving family includes his wife, Meryl Sheeley; two daughters, Darlene (Jack) Wright of Niles and Carol Goodrich and Lonnie Rhino of Decatur; five grandchildren, Tracy (Jeffrey) Freeze of Burns Harbor, Ind., Rodney (Brenda) Wright of Wichita, Kan., Kim (Frank) Garza of Decatur, Clifford (Teresa) Goodrich of Niles, Kristen Rhino of Kalamazoo; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold Sheeley of Winter Haven, Fla. and Decatur and two sisters, Dorothy Dillard of Three Oaks and Lois Kool of St. Petersburg, Fla. He also has many nieces and nephews scattered all across the country that have fond memories of Uncle Zane.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Barbara Jean; a brother, Rex Sheeley and sisters, Carmen Anderson, Shirley DeFreeze and Rosalie Zavor.
Memorial contributions may be made to Galien Woods Historical Society, P.O. Box 162, Galien, MI 49113, or to the Galien Library, 302 N. Main St., Galien, MI 49113.
Friends may leave a message of condolence by visiting the online guestbook at www.swemduneralhome,com
Arrangements were by Swem Funeral Home, Buchanan.