Kenneth Anthony Merique

Kenneth A. Merique was born 12 August 1940 at Womens’ (later Hutzel Hospital), Detroit, Michigan, the son of Walter Gustave Merique (1893-1977) and Rosalia Helena Lark (1902-1983). Ken’s siblings were Margaret Rose Ciesliga (1928-1967) and Louis Justin Merique (1935-2005).

Like his siblings, Kenneth attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven Roman Catholic Elementary School in northeast Detroit, beginning in 1946 through 1950. He then transferred to Marion Law Public School and graduated in 1952.

While a student at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, he began an interest in genealogy. Because of his proficiency in reading, he was asked by the school’s Principal, St. M. Clarita, to read a story to his class; the title of which was “Taking Great-Grandmother to Church.” He began thinking about his great-grandmothers. He had never heard their names. Ironically, both of his grandmothers were residing with us on Sirron Avenue, Detroit. Both of his grandmothers had been widowed years earlier. His parents invited their mothers to share their home. He thought, “What an opportune time to question them.” While searching through family papers, he discovered the death certificates of his grandfathers. His search and genealogy obsession had begun.

His grandparents were Louis Justin Merique, III (1865-1919) and Otillia Wagner (1869-1951), and Fredciszek Lerch/Lark (1879-1936) and Helena Francesca Hubner (1879-1958). He was well on his way to eventually discovering over 800 of his ancestors!

He later transferred to Marion Law Elementary School, graduating in 1952. All through secondary school and college, he spent innumerable hours poring through genealogical books, indices, and magazines at the main Detroit Library in the New Center area. In June 1958 he graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School and then attended Detroit Business University, 1958 to 1960, then transferred to Wayne State University where he majored in Business Administration.

In January 1980 he accepted a position in the Financial Department at Chevrolet Detroit Gear & Axle complex on the Detroit-Hamtramck border. After seven years, he was transferred to the Labor Relations Department where he worked until 1987. His last three years with the company 1988 to 1990 were spent as a Production Supervisor. He retired in December 1990.

During his 44 year association with the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, he served in every office, except President, created several issues of “News from the Nest,” authored more than 50 articles for the “Polish Eaglet,” and created 300 scrapbooks with Polish themes that are housed in the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Main Library.

His proudest accomplishment was the publication of his 700 page book, “Ancestors & Descendants” which has been presented to several libraries throughout the United States. Over his many years, he had collected approximately 250,000 Polish obituaries and over 100, 000 Funeral Cards. He also accumulated over 2,000 books on genealogy, Church Jubilees, and Family Histories.

The portion of the obituary above was written by Kenneth’s friend, Roger Laske.

Kenneth is survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, great- grand- nephews, great-grand-nieces, and many, many cousins.

The obituary above was written by Kenneth's good friend, Roger Laske.

A Visitation will be held for Kenneth on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 10AM-1PM, with a Funeral Service to follow at 1PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home (20705 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Kenneth’s honor to the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, htps://pgsm.org/donation.php?dc=1