Allen John Merchant

ALLEN JOHN MERCHANT
85, of Cass City passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2022 in his home. Allen was born February 22, 1937 at home in Cass City, the second of five children born to Charles David and Mary Agnes (Fletcher) Merchant.

At an early age, Allen began working on his grandparents' cash crop farm on Koepfgen Road using harnessed mules. Allen planted and harvested the fields until he graduated from Cass City High School in 1955. While attending high school, Allen excelled at football earning the title of Captain as well as multiple varsity letters.

After high school, he worked at Walbro as an engineering technician. Allen also purchased his
first parcel of land and began his lifelong career in farming. He farmed until December 1960
when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany and France with an
occupational specialty of construction machinery operator with the Army Corp of Engineers.

In May 1962, Allen was honorably discharged from the military and returned to Cass City to
continue farming. On August 26,1967 Allen married Joanie Lindsay in Cass City Missionary
Church. Together, he and Joanie built their family home on Merchant Farms in 1970.

Allen achieved his private pilot license in February 1977. He served as a trustee on the Elkland Township board for over twenty years and as a founder of the Michigan No-Till Movement. Allen is the recipient of many farming awards and recognitions including Michigan Master Farmer of the Year for 2020.

From 1962 until his semi-retirement in 2016, Allen grew several different crops but corn was his favorite! Over the course of seventy-five years, Allen’s farming career began with mules and ended with modern GPS guided equipment. He was an animal lover, especially his Hereford Cattle, many Beagle dogs, sheep, and his kitties.

Allen is survived by his daughter, Barbara Jean (John) Tilt; son, John Allen (Jamie Joi-Ann Stubbs) Merchant; sisters: Joyce (Clinton) Esckilsen, Ruth (Gerald) Whittaker; sisters-in-law: Marlene “Cookie” Merchant, JoAn Merchant; grandson, Jesse Allen Merchant; granddaughters: Alexandria Mary Tilt, Claire Elise Merchant; very special friend of seven years, Gracie Kamrad; many friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Allen is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: William “Bill” Merchant, James “Jim” Merchant.

Funeral service held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Cass City United Methodist
Church with Rev. Robert Demyanovich officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township
Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Allen J. Merchant Farms Memorial Fund. Military
honors under direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644 and the U.S. Army. Family and friends
may share memories, prayers, and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Cass City United Methodist Church

Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan