Obituary of Richard Earlen Grassley

Richard Earlen Grassley was born on December 13, 1942, in Monroe. He was the son of the late Earlen and Jeanne Grassley. Richard grew up in Dundee, graduating from Dundee High School in 1960. He was married to the former Mildred Turner by the Reverend EE Patterson at the Monroe Missionary Baptist Church on July 20, 1963. From this union would come the birth of two children. Richard supported his family for more than thirty-two years with employment at the General Motors Plant in Ypsilanti. He retired in 1995 as a Tool Crib worker. After retirement, Richard worked part time for ACO Hardware, Cabelas, and as a trade driver for Stanford Allen Chevrolet/Cadillac; Toyota, and CARite all in Monroe. He was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his dog Maggie. He wasn’t overly social, but Richard was known for his kind heart and warm smile. He could often be found feeding the birds and keeping an eye on his squirrel friends from his front porch. Recently, he had been seen tooling around town on his new, fancy three-wheel bike, “Purple Rain”. Richard loved getting together for meals with his family. Richard Earlen Grassley age 73 of Monroe passed away peacefully at 12:13pm on October 17, 2016 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by his grandparents. To cherish his memory, Richard leaves a beloved wife of fifty-three years: Mildred; a daughter: Carla (John) Sokotuk of Carleton; a son: Blaine (Jenny) Grassley of Monroe; three sisters: Peggy Olinger of Waterville, Ohio, Sheila Sheets of Dundee, and Sheryl (Darrell) Tarry of Monroe; six grandchildren: Ashley-Lynn (Robert) Ryder, Alex, Alina, and Ana Sokotuk, and Drew and Carly Grassley; one great-grandson Robert Carl “Robby” Ryder, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Friends may gather on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 1:00pm on Thursday, October 20, 2016 also at Merkle’s with Reverend Roy Southerland pastor of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn in LaSalle for burial.