Merl Stoyanoff

Merl E. Stoyanoff, age 91, of Portage, MI passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016, peacefully at home. Merl was born March 7, 1925 in Battle Creek, MI to the late Nicholas and Catharina (Schouten) Stoyanoff. He was united in marriage to Beverly Wilcox on September 1, 1950. Merl served in the U.S. Army during WWII, from July of 1943 until honorably discharged in September of 1944. Among his awards and citations were the Bronze Battle Star and Purple Heart. He retired from Eaton Corporation in 1989 after serving for 21 years. Merl loved his family and spending time with them. He also enjoyed dancing, bowling, wintering in Florida, camping and traveling. Merl is survived by his wife, Beverly Stoyanoff; children, Gary (Deb) Stoyanoff, Brian (Patti) Stoyanoff, Wade Stoyanoff, Keith Stoyanoff, Dale (Annie) Stoyanoff and Vickie (Tim) Kirkendall; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Merl was also preceded in death by his brother, Johannes Stoyanoff and sister, Marilyn Powers. The family will greet friends on Thursday, November 17th from 6-8pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3296 S. 9th St., where a funeral service will take place Friday, November 18th at 11:00am. Burial will be at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. Memorials in Merl's name may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.