Merriell Wahwassuck 1945-2023
Merriell V. “Matewa” “Meatball” Wahwassuck, 78, of Mayetta, passed away Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at his home with family by his side.
He was born Aug. 26, 1945, in Delia, the son of Johnnie P. Wahwassuck Jr. and Josette P. (Nahgonbe) Wahwassuck.
Merriell retired as a boiler maker and member of Local 627 in Phoenix, Ariz. He also worked for Road and Bridge on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation.
He was a member of Drum Religion and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Merriell married Belva Linda Coochise on Sept. 24, 1966, in Cleveland, Ohio. They celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before her passing on July 3, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Josette Wahwassuck; four sisters, Florence “Gumpy” Ross, Twila “Charlie” Lee, Nancy Conboy and Mamie Rupnicki; and six brothers, John “Doc” Wahwassuck Jr., Jewett “Swede” Wahwassuck Sr., Raphael “Chief” “Bugger” Wahwassuck, Pete Wahwassuck, Henry Wahwassuck and Norman Wahwassuck.
Survivors include six children, Merriell V. Wahwassuck Jr. (Mechelle), Anna M. Boswell (Michael), Cosette Wahwassuck, Jon Wahwassuck, Brandon Wahwassuck and Michael Wahwassuck (Dawn), all of Mayetta; a brother, James Wahwassuck of Mayetta; 15 grandchildren, Jeremiah Wahwassuck, Marlena Wahwassuck, Myra Wahwassuck, Trevor Wahwassuck, Logan Boswell, Kacie Boswell, Taryn Boswell, Madison Boswell, Wyatt Boswell, Draven Wahwassuck, Sophia Wahwassuck, Jacob Wahwassuck, Gabriel Wahwassuck, Soonwy Wahwassuck and Taavi Wahwassuck; and nine great-grandchildren, Isabella, Isiah, Liam, Mila, Elijah, Jordan, Jodeci, Roronoa and Haniwah.
Visitation was held Sunday, Sept. 17 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Ttibekwe was held at the homeplace following the visitation. Sunrise graveside services were held Monday morning, Sept. 18 at the Prairie Peoples Cemetery on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
