Merion "Eugene" E. Weakley

Merion Eugene Weakley, 71, of Homer, died peacefully Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Laurels of Coldwater surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 2, 1951, in Albion to Mearion F. and Mattie Lee (Watkins) Weakley.

Eugene was a 1971 graduate of Homer High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for eight years as a crew chief on F106 and F4 fighter jets.  He spent the bulk of his service stationed at K. I. Sawyer A.F.B. in Michigan's upper peninsula. He also served a one-year tour at Udon RTAFB in Udon Thani, Thailand. On August 3, 1973, he married his high school sweetheart Cindy (Riker) Kirkbride, she survives. Although they divorced, they remained lifelong friends, sharing holidays and special events with their children and grandchildren.

In 1979, Eugene returned to Homer and was employed by Midwest Foundry in Coldwater and Drake Mechanical Plating in Homer. After working 25 years for the Michigan Department of Corrections in Jackson and Coldwater, he retired in 2009. During his retirement years, Eugene and his brother Phil delivered campers all over the United States for Haylett RV of Coldwater.

Eugene enjoyed being outdoors, attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events, camping trips with his siblings, and visiting casinos.

He is survived by two daughters, Courtney (Jimmie) Jones and Cala Weakley, both of Homer; Cindy's children, Kelsey (Shane) Brewer of Ceresco, and Clark (Ericka Dobson) Kirkbride of Fremont, Indiana; four grandchildren, Alexis Jones of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Kennadie Jones, Emma Jones and Braydon Scott all of Homer; two brothers, Phillip (Loretta) Weakley of Homer, and Robert (Becky) Austin of Quincy; eight sisters, Carol Fix, Betty Sharpe and Deborah Jones of Homer, Becky Austin, Libby Harris and Kathy Swanson of Tekonsha, Sherry (Mike) Turner of Phoenix, Arizona and Roxie (Bryan) Bolejack of Burns, Wyoming; and several special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Cockrill, and Theresa Austin; and an infant brother, Bobby Weakley.

Visitation will be held at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 303 S. Hillsdale Street, Homer, MI 49245 on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Homer.

Memorials are suggested to the Homer Area Community Foundation or Gentiva Hospice in Jackson. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home. Also, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.