Obituary of Merri Bagwell

Merri Bagwell, 62, of Buchanan, passed away at her home on Monday, May 1, 2017, while surrounded by her family. Merri was born on April 16, 1955, to the late Kenneth and Marian (Dempsey) VanLue in Niles. She graduated from Niles High School in 1973. She became a lifelong waitress at many restaurants in the Niles area including Dougan's Pit Stop/Viking Grill, where she worked as a server for more than 20 years. Merri was a people person in every sense of the word. She loved socializing and interacting with everyone she met. On June 20, 1989, Merri wed Johnny Bagwell at a ceremony in Las Vegas. The two were inseparable. They epitomized the definition of LOVE. There were never two people who were more committed to caring for one another. Merri always saw the good in every situation; if it was raining it meant the flowers were going to grow, if it snowed it meant the grandchildren could go sledding, and when she was diagnosed with cancer at age 30 it meant "at least I won't have to shave the hair on my legs!" She also saw the good in all those around her. She was a lover of all things, especially nature, music, simplicity, people and children, and her family. Merri enjoyed traveling with her husband; it didn't matter if it was in the back yard making up a song about potatoes on the way to their vegetable garden, taking a two-week train trip to Yosemite National Park or one of their many cruises. Merri always saw the positive in every situation and as long as Johnny was by her side she was happy in this adventure they were on called life. She was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth VanLue and Marian VanLue-Gilbert; son, Samuel Reagan; brother, Kenneth VanLue, Jr and grandson, Parker Williams. Merri is survived by her husband of nearly 28 years, Johnny; their children, Julie (Mark) Williams of Niles and Melissa Bagwell of Niles; grandchildren, Alexis (PJ) Pollock, Anthony Parris, Abby Parris, Garrett Williams, Carter Williams, DJ Bagwell and Delainey Reagan; great-grandson, Remington Pollock; siblings, Linda (Steve) Kujawa of Edwardsburg and Dan (Pam) VanLue of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends. A time of visitation will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral service to honor Merri's amazing life will be held on Friday at Pokagon United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m.