Merle Hecksel

Merle Laverne Hecksel, age 88, of Coopersville, Michigan, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born at home on the family farm on August 28, 1937, Merle was the middle son of William and Emilia Hecksel. With his sister Betty and brothers Roger and William R., he spent his youth in Coopersville, where the close-knit brothers shared many adventures, from sailing toy boats in the creek in their new sailor suits to cutting down a Christmas tree for their one-room schoolhouse that left a tall pine noticeably bare for years.

Merle graduated from Coopersville High School in 1955 and later took short courses at Michigan State University. In the early 1960s, he met Sandra Davidson at a dance hall in Ravenna. They married in the fall of 1964 and settled just down the road from the farm where he grew up. Together they raised their family while Merle worked in construction, served in the National Guard, and briefly in his father-in-law’s factory before finding his true calling.

In 1965, Merle and his brother Bill founded M & W Hecksel Bros. Well Drilling. What began as a modest venture learned through trial and error grew into a respected business known for its thousands of loyal customers. Merle was known for his unmatched work ethic, often sacrificing holidays to help customers at all hours and continuing to dig alongside much younger employees well into his seventies. He later partnered with his son Steve for 15 years before retiring from Hecksel Bros. Well Drilling, LLC in 2018. He also served 32 years as Polkton Township Treasurer, winning his first election after taking business classes during his recovery from a serious hand injury in 1967.

A lifelong member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Nunica, Merle was baptized there in September 1937 and confirmed his faith on May 31, 1953. He served the congregation as Sunday school superintendent, elder, usher, and trustee. An avid hunter, he made more than 30 annual trips to Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, pursuing whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk. His final hunt at age 80 in November 2017 saw him climb 50 feet up a rock face and harvest a 5x5 elk from 175 yards. Merle welcomed everyone with open arms and genuine hospitality, hosting hayrides, church picnics, and family gatherings throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra, their children, and grandchildren, who remember his deep love for family, his strong faith, and the steady example he set through a lifetime of hard work and service.