Marceil E. Gordon

Marceil E. Gordon, 87, of Cecil, passed away at home on Monday, February 5, 2018.

Marceil was born in Paulding on October 5, 1930, a daughter of the late Dorothy Mabel (Straley) and John Gaylord McMichael.

Marceil was a homemaker who farmed alongside her husband & was a devoted member of Bethel United Methodist Church. She was so good at so many things but her best moments were spent with her family. 

She will be sadly missed by her children, Debra (Tom) Clouse of Tiffin, Linda (Jan) Leaders of Napoleon & Daniel (Margie) of Antwerp; siblings, Byron of CA, Dinah Collins, Oley & Larry (Shirley) McMichael all of Antwerp; grandchildren,  Kim (Randy) Carpenter, Jody (Jacob) Bernath, Amy (Alex) Birtcher, Laura Leaders, Boston (Sumer) Waltenberger, Brandon Headley & Dalton (Brooke) Gordon & 4 great grandchildren.

Marceil was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne whom she married January 25, 1951; granddaughter, Sarah Leaders & siblings, Isabel Reinhart, Robert, Jimmy & Dennis McMichael.

Her funeral service is 11 AM on Saturday, February 10th with viewing from 10 - 10:45 am at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp.

Viewing is also Friday, February, 9th, 4 -7 pm at Dooley Funeral Home.

She will be laid to rest at Bethel Cemetery.

Memorials are to Bethel United Methodist Church.

Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com

Selfless, stubborn, and strong, Marceil Gordon lived a faith-filled life that was rich in family. A loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother, Marceil embraced her roles with honor and enthusiasm leading her family by example and celebrating each day as a gift. Cherished by many, Marceil’s beautiful life will long inspire those who knew her best.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in Paulding, Ohio as John and Dorothy (Straley) McMichael welcomed their daughter Marceil into their hearts and home on August 5th.

Growing up in Antwerp, Ohio during the 30s and 40s, Marceil learned first hand the challenges that come with hard times and the joys that come with times of restoration and renewed hope. She learned first hand the value of hard work, being resourceful, developing her skills, and growing her faith. Marceil possessed an innate sense of strength and balance upon which she built the rest of her life. Her strong sense of self, was evident one fateful day during her childhood when she confidently tightrope walked across a fence while balancing two buckets of water needed at home to avoid a mean goose!

After spending her early years in Paulding, Marceil and her family moved to Antwerp. During high school, Marceil’s strength, confidence, and balance were easily seen by others as she inspired the crowds at Antwerp Local School where she was a cheerleader. In addition to her school work and cheerleading, Marceil also worked as a bookkeeper at Leinard Chevrolet in Antwerp.

Also during high school, Marceil had the good fortune of meeting her sweetheart, Wayne Gordon. After dating for some time, the young couple knew their hearts were meant for each other, and the happy pair married at her mother’s home on January 25, 1951. Shortly after marrying, Wayne was drafted into the military and left home. Already pregnant with their first child, Debra, Marceil focused on her health and creating a loving home of the small apartment in Paulding that she and Wayne had rented. In Wayne’s absence for the first 16 months of Debra’s life, Marceil leaned into the innate strength, resourcefulness, and faith that always carried her through. Wayne’s return home was more than welcome, and the family continued to grow in time welcoming daughter Linda and son Daniel.

To say that Marceil was a woman of many talents is easy. There were few things she could not do or learn. Naturally inclined to be busy she quickly learned to wallpaper, upholstery, paint, and grow just about anything. She was known to bring dead plants back to life, and her sewing was impeccable. On the rare occasion that she was still, Marceil could be found reading or studying the Bible.

Not one to be easily daunted, Marceil often rode the children’s pony in hopes of exhausting the buck prone pet. Despite her efforts to tucker the beast out, Trigger never tired of bucking the children off his back and running to the neighbors. Despite Trigger’s stubbornness, the children enjoyed sharing the adventure with their mother whose determination often inspired them. The kids were very clear their mother was exceptional. Not only would she play outdoors with them, where she would often be found doing flips, she could easily lift a 50-pound bag of grain and never hesitated in helping her husband with the farm work. Whether driving the tractor, hauling goods, making repairs, or getting supper on the table, Marceil never tired and she put her stubbornness to good use in providing for the family she held so dear.

Though the responsibilities of farm life limited their travels, Marceil and Wayne did carve out time for a few small vacations along the way. While most of their trips were to Fort Wayne, IN or Garden City, Michigan to see relatives, they did go camping in East Harbor, Ohio and then to Cedar Point. Their one epic trip was to Niagara Falls and included picking up the kids’ aunt in Michigan on the way.

Content with her family-centered life, Marceil’s joy only grew upon becoming a grandmother. In each of her grandchildren’s eyes, she could see the best of her legacy and her greatest hopes for the future. She loved them wholeheartedly and treasured any time spent in their good company. Baking cookies with the grandkids at Thanksgiving was a treasured tradition. Each child decorated all of their own cookies and proudly carried them home after a full day of fun with their grandmother. Marceil never missed a grandchild’s game at school where she proudly cheered on their successes and confidently encouraged them through their challenges. In Muriel’s heart, it was abundantly clear that they were loved, cherished, and always enough.

A woman who lived each moment of her life fully, Muriel showed us how to love and learn, give and grow, confidently take risks, and to trust our capacity to endure. She taught us how to live. While the world feels less certain in the absence of Muriel’s steadfast spirit, may it afford deep comfort to know that we carry the best of her legacy in our hearts and lives.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Debra (Tom) Clouse of Tiffin, Linda (Jan) Leaders of Napoleon & Daniel (Margie) of Antwerp; siblings, Byron of CA, Dinah Collins, Oley & Larry (Shirley) McMichael all of Antwerp; grandchildren, Kim (Randy) Carpenter, Jody (Jacob) Bernath, Amy (Alex) Birtcher, Laura Leaders, Boston (Sumer) Waltenberger, Brandon Headley & Dalton (Brooke) Gordon & four great-grandchildren.Marceil was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne whom she married January 25, 1951; granddaughter, Sarah Leaders; & siblings, Isabel Reinhart, Robert, Jimmy & Dennis McMichael.

Her funeral service is 11 AM on Saturday, February 10th with viewing from 10 - 10:45 am at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp. Viewing is also Friday 4 -7 pm at Dooley Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest at Bethel Cemetery. Memorials are to Bethel United Methodist Church. Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com