Richard Fleming

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on March 1, 2021 at the age of 91 years.

The son of the late Clarence and Frances (Hatzenbuehler) Fleming was born on December 8, 1929 in Merrill. Richard took over his dad’s dairy farm at age 12 and continued farming throughout his life. At age 16 he had a milk route. In the mid 1950s he owned and operated the International Dealership in Merrill for a short time and then went back to his cash crop and beef farm. Richard married Mae Valliere on February 7, 1953; she predeceased him on April 24, 1965. He married Barbara Valliere on September 17, 1966; she predeceased him on November 29, 2016. Richard was a member of St. John XXIII Parish, St. Patrick Parish Council, Mt. Haley Township Board and Mt. Haley 4H Leader.

Surviving are his children: Colleen (Ron) Miller, Richard E. “Rick” (Felomena) Fleming, Fr. Thomas J. “TJ” Fleming, Christopher J. (Lisa) Fleming, Scott M. (Julie) Fleming; grandchildren: Melissa (Lucas) Grubaugh, Emily (Ken) Hoyt, Sarah Fleming, Nicholas, Joshua and Noah Fleming, Elizabeth and Danielle Fleming, Courtney (Seth) Vance, and Paul (Kelsie) Kuflewski; great-grandchildren: Kyle Williams, Alexandra and Samantha Grubaugh, Jacob Fleming, James William and Gary Luke Hoyt, Riggin and Laramie Vance, and Baylor Kuflewski; siblings: Kathleen Doyle, Robert Fleming, Martin Fleming, Alice Gardner, Leo Fleming, David Fleming, and Frank Fleming and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Besides his spouses and parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon Fleming; granddaughter, Melissa Sue Hoose; and siblings: Mary Wilkins, Helen Stroiwas, Raymond Fleming, Terrence Fleming, Margaret Ann Haspiel, and Clarence “John” Fleming.

Funeral liturgy will take place at 10:30 am on Saturday. March 6, 2021, at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Patrick Church, 4708 Meridian Road, Merrill. Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Fleming will officiate with burial to take place at St. Patrick Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 2-8 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021, at St. Patrick Church Hall where there will be a vigil service at 7 pm. Visitation will also take place at the church on Saturday from 9 am until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the wishes of the family c/o Richard E. Fleming. In accordance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ordinance face coverings are required.