Dean Merrit Shrontz

Dean Merrit Shrontz, 86 of Olivet, Michigan passed away peacefully with the Lord present, December 16, 2025.

Dean was born on June 26th, 1939, in Olivet and raised on their family farm. He attended a one-room country school in Partello before transferring to Olivet High School in 8th grade. At Olivet High School he became a standout football player and, along with his team, became state champions during his high school career in the 1950’s. He was an active member of the Olivet FFA where he gained experience raising and showing cattle at the local fair, a passion rooted in his upbringing on the family farm.

To support his passion for farming, he worked in various labor-intensive fields, including construction and truck driving where he developed an understanding of building and logistics. Dean spent most of his professional career at Aluminum Extrusion (AE) in Charlotte starting as a general laborer learning the fabrication trade and eventually becoming a master at these skills and earning a spot as a supervisor. The skills he learned were often useful on the farm when a piece of equipment needed repair. Even during his retirement years, Dean worked for his son logging and farming.

Dean fell in love with Esther after watching her play the saxophone in her family band in Eaton Rapids August 6, 1960. Shortly after marrying they established a farm in Olivet where they worked as a team raising hogs, cattle, and cash crops. While managing the farm together, Dean also worked in the factory to provide for their growing family.

Dean, along with Esther, raised his family through good times and bad times, never complaining, and always keeping a positive outlook. He wasn’t a stranger to having fun around the neighborhood, riding snowmobiles in the winter with their 1960’s/70’s Ski-Doos, playing euchre, swimming in the pool on the farm, woodworking with the local 4-H youth, attending Moose Lodge activities and traveling in their camper and showing cattle.

Dean and Esther really enjoyed meeting people especially during their later years when they would spend their winters in Florida in a park full of snowbirds.

Dean will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Esther; daughter, Tammy (Marv) Maurer; son, Brad (Kris) Shrontz; his four grandchildren, Cory (Rachelle) Maurer, Ashley (Jake) Adams, Brandan (Sarah) Maurer, Shannan (Angie) Maurer; ten great grandchildren; Camden, Connor, Audrie, Kasen, Clair, Levi, Sawyer, Nora, Delany, and Dawson.

Dean was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Trenton John Clair Shrontz; parents, Clair and Mildred Shrontz; siblings; Miles and Darrel.

Dean will always be remembered by his contagious grin and good-natured attitude leaving a lasting impression.

A special thank you to Dean’s nurses at PineView Assisted Living at NorthPointe in Battle Creek for their special care of Dean and Esther during his time there.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 11 A.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Pastor Todd McLane officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Burial will take place at Clarence Center Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome or memorial gifts may be directed to: Trenton Shrontz Memorial Playground P.O. Box 367, Olivet, MI 49076