Barbara “Jean” (Merrill) Schultz (age 85) of Cassopolis, Michigan, stepped into the presence of her Lord and Savior on May 25, 2025. The Bible verse she highlighted during her last days, her “wow” verse, was Psalm 73:23-24 “Yet I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your council and afterward you will take me to glory.”
Jean was born in Jackson, Michigan, on May 30, 1939 to Margaret Delores (Futrell) Merrill and Ray Shannon Merrill. She attended Jackson High School and Eastern Michigan College. In 1957, she took a summer job as a secretary in the Edsel Division of the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, where she fell in love with a first year mechanical engineer, Max Schultz.
Jean and Max were married in February of 1958, and raised their two children, Steve and Jill, in the South Bend, Indiana area. A few years later, the family purchased a gentleman’s farm in nearby Niles, Michigan, where Jean’s lifelong dream of having a horse was finally realized. Life on the small farm was filled with many animals and special moments of joy. In 1969, Jean’s love for children inspired her to move a 100-year-old one room schoolhouse to the farm. Country Lane Nursery School was created and enjoyed by 120 preschoolers each year. She made a lasting impact on each child and their families. In her own family, the role of grandma was always filled with crazy fun had by her five grandchildren, such as creating skits and planning treasure hunts.
Jean was blessed with boundless energy and a desire to connect and encourage people. After moving to Cassopolis, Michigan, she shared her time and creativity with the clubs she founded like the Diamond Lake Kayakers and the Diamond Lake Bike Club.
With an enthusiasm for local history, Jean volunteered (occasionally appearing in costume) at the Bonine House (part of the Underground Railroad), the Newton House, the Red Brick Schoolhouse and the Cassopolis City Hall. Jean founded a newspaper called “On and Around the Water”, highlighting lake events and history, all the while networking and uplifting people. Jean wintered in Naples, Florida, also impacting the community there with her special gift of love for others.
Jean’s greatest passion was to share the love of Jesus with anyone God placed in her path. She also desired to grow in her personal relationship with Jesus. She loved to read her Bible, participate in Bible studies and attend church. She attended Trinity Bible Church of Edwardsburg, Christ Community Church of Naples and Capri Christian Church of Naples. Jean wanted all those she connected with to know that there is only one thing that matters, especially when facing death; and that is one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Preceding Jean in death were her loving husband, Max, her parents, Marge and Ray Merrill, her brothers-in-law, Sam Schultz and Major Richard Jones as well as sister-in-law, Joan (Schultz) Roberts and niece, Valerie (Roberts) Reidenbach.
Surviving family members include her children, Steve (Anita) Schultz of Paradise Valley, Arizona and Jill (Steve) Weber of Niles, Michigan. Her grandchildren: Adam (Kylee) Weber, Kristin Weber, Max (Shannon) Schultz II, Stockton (Courtney) Schultz and Alex (Elizabeth) Schultz, along with her 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers, Bill (Sandy) Merrill and John Merrill, sisters-in-law, Sandra (Schultz) McFarland, Sharon (Schultz) Jones, and brother-in-law, Willard Roberts, along with numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to the following: Cass County Historical Society, P.O. Box 21, Cassopolis, MI 49031 ccmihistoricalsociety.org, Trinity Bible Church of Edwardsburg, 69950 M-62, Edwardsburg, MI 49112 https://www.trinityedwardsburg.org/giving, or Cass County Council On Aging, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031 casscountycoa.org
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5 pm on June 22, 2025 at New Life Church, 11593 East McKinley Hwy in Osceola, IN 46561. Visitation will take place one hour prior, from 4-5 pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
Memorial Contributions
Please click the link below to make a donation online
CASS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETYTRINITY BIBLE CHURCH OF EDWARDSBURGCASS COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING
Service Details
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Visitation
When
June 22nd, 2025 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Where
New Life Church
Address
11593 East McKinley Hwy
Osceola, IN 46561
DIRECTIONS
Service
When
June 22nd, 2025 5:00pm
Where
New Life Church
Address
11593 East McKinley Hwy
Osceola , IN 46561
DIRECTIONS
Interment
Where
Prospect Hill Cemetery
Address
Disbrow
CASSOPOLIS , MI 49031
Posted On: Friday, June 6, 2025 2:56 PM
