Obituary of Vaughn Lee Massingill
Vaughn Lee Massingill was born in Monroe, Michigan on June 12, 1939. He was the oldest of two boys born from the union of Walter Lee and Hallie (Edmondson) Massingill. While in the first grade his family would move to Dundee where Vaughn would attend the Bridge School until its consolidation with Dundee. He was a 1957 graduate of Dundee High School.
Vaughn married the love of his life the former Shirley Delta Marie Busz on September 8, 1956 in Angola, Indiana. The couple would be blessed with the birth of three children. Vaughn began working for Earl Vandercook at Vandercook Plumbing and Heating in 1956. Upon Earl’s retirement Vaughn was given the opportunity to purchase the business in 1961, renaming it Dundee Plumbing and Heating. For many years he and Shirley also owned and operated the Extra Space Storage Facility.
Vaughn became extremely active in the Dundee Community. He joined the Dundee Township Volunteer Fire Department in 1959. Over the course of his thirty-year career he would obtain the rank of Assistant Chief, before retiring in 1989. At the age of 21, he was elected to the Village Council. He would serve forty-two of the next forty-four years on council only taking a two year hiatus, the years that Shirley served as Clerk. He was very well respected in the community once even being elected unknowingly by a write-in campaign he didn’t start!
Vaughn served in countless additional capacities within the community from the Dundee Recreation Commission, coached his children in Little League, the Jaycees, Dundee Athletic Boosters, Old Mill Museum Restoration Committee, Downtown Development Authority, River Raisin Watershed Council, Village Santa Clause for many years, Dundee Area Business Association, and Past President Pro Temp of the Village of Dundee Council. In 2008, following his retirement from the plumbing shop he became the Village of Dundee Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector. In 1992 the Village of Dundee presented Vaughn with The Citizens of The Year Award and in 1997 The Michigan Minuteman Award.
Vaughn was well known as a person of integrity. He was very generous sometimes performing repair work for free or discounted to help those in need. He was always straight forward and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, and his follow through was impeccable. An expert conversationalist he never met a stranger, striking up banter wherever he went. Vaughn was a little quirky with a dry sense of humor. Never taking himself too seriously, he didn’t mind being the butt of his own jokes when necessary.
At the end of the day, Vaughn was many things to many people, but what he valued the most was his relationship with his own family. He was a devoted husband and father and was quite proud of his grandchildren. “Gramps” cherished his Summer home at Evans Lake in the Irish Hills area purchased in the early 1970’s. Time spent with the family gave him his “baby fix” as he drove back and forth for work from "The Cottage". For many years he enjoyed golfing and bowling although his focus after retirement brought out his artistic side with being a woodworker. He was a committed member of the Dundee United Methodist Church.
Vaughn Lee Massingill, age 82, of Dundee passed away on Friday; December 3, 2021 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. His passing was preceded by both of his parents and a nephew: Troy Massingill.
To cherish his memory he leaves his beloved wife of sixty-five years: Shirley of Dundee; three children: Terry (Mary) Massingill of Dundee, Mark Massingill of Ann Arbor, and Connie (Roman) Bohatch of Grand Rapids, Michigan; one brother: Ronald (Patricia) Massingill of Dundee; six grandchildren: Adam (Kristen) Massingill of Temperance, Aric (Melanie) Massingill of Dundee, Danielle (Scott) Parker-DeGoode of Hudsonville, Roman II Bohatch of Grand Rapids, Michael Bohatch of Grand Rapids, Ivana Bohatch of Grand Rapids; ten great grandchildren: Gabe, Alana, Aiden, Kalahan, Oliver, Daisy, Corinne, Evan, Riley, and Brayden. Also to cherish his memory is former exchange student Petter (Nina) Andersen and children Pernille and Filippa of Oslo Norway.
Vaughn will lie in state from 10:00am until a Celebration of His Life at 11:00am on Saturday; December 11, 2021 at Dundee United Methodist Church; 645 Franklin Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131. A Ceremonial Fire Department walk-through will take place at 10:30am. Pastor Brad Luck will officiate, and procession will follow to Oak Grove Cemetery for burial. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan. Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156 has been entrusted with his care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Dundee Firefighters Association, Old Mill Museum, or Dundee United Methodist Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.