Merlin James "Merle" Sellen

Merlin James "Merle" Sellen of Battle Creek, MI




Merle, age 84, died Saturday morning, March 14, 2015 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI, following a lengthy illness.


Merle, the son of Clelle and Ilah (Swift) Sellen, was born in Kalamo, MI on October 2, 1930 and was a lifetime area resident. He served his country honorably and nobly during the Korean War in the United States Air Force as an Airman Second Class. Merle had been employed at Eaton Corporation and retired in 1993 after 34 years of faithful service at Kellogg's as a Head Machine Operator. He had been a member for over 30 years at the First Assembly of God Church of Battle Creek. Merle had enjoyed fishing, bowling , riding his bike and he spent many a summer's day and night at Wattles Park watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was an avid baseball fan especially passionate in his following of the Detroit Tigers, in their good times and bad!


Merle was united in marriage to the former Barbara Ann Cantrell on February 28, 1975 at the First Assembly of God Church, Battle Creek. Surviving is his wife of over 40 years, Barb; his three daughters, Marilyn (Jim) Lillard of Hendersonville, NC, Diana (Robert) Beckwith of Huntsville, AL and Sherrie (Matt) Newman of Tampa, FL; his son, Steven Sellen of Huntsville, AL; his step-daughter, Kimberley A. (Scott Russell) Jackson of Battle Creek; his step-son, Frederick J. "Rick" (Dawn) Mulligan of Battle Creek; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his sister, Clella Sellen of Charlotte, MI and by two brothers, Rodney (Peg) Sellen and Chuck (Sherry) Sellen, both of Bellevue, MI. Merle was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronnie Sellen.


The Graveside Service to celebrate Merle's life will be held on Tuesday, March 24th at Noon at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the Rev. Robert G. Muirhead, Pastor of the First Assembly of God, North Campus, officiating and the United States Air Force Honor Guard from Wright-Patterson AFB and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full, military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Merle's honor may be directed to the Wattles Park Men's Club, 144 South Wattles Road, Battle Creek, MI 49014. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek is in charge of the arrangements.