Albert “Al” Misseldine of Adrian, Michigan died Tuesday morning February 18, 2025, at Charlotte Stephenson Manor under Careline Hospice. He was 92.
Al was born on September 3, 1932, in Banbury, England, the third of Thomas and Gladys (Healey) Misseldine’s four children. He immigrated to the United States when he was 17 and served his adopted country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Al attended Marquette University where he earned a BS and MA in English.
On July 12, 1954, Al married Amanda Christine Mertens in Jefferson City, Missouri; they were married for over 69 years before her death on March 24, 2024. They instilled in their seven children a thirst for knowledge, a love for animals, and a yearning sense of adventure that materialized in exciting family vacations. Favorites included exploring northern Michigan while camping in rustic cabins on the shores of Lake Ann and Lake Leelanau; climbing and racing down the sandy slopes of the Sleeping Bear Dunes; and, further from home, tenting and hiking in the back country of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
In 1965, Al accepted a position in the English Department of Adrian College at which time he and Mandy moved their young family from Milwaukee and made Adrian their home for the rest of their lives. For 32 years, Al shared his love and knowledge of English literature with many inquisitive and grateful Adrian College students. He loved the British writers most, especially George Orwell and William Shakespeare and would often regale students and family with favorite and relevant Shakesperian quotes including “This above all: to thine own self be true…” and “We are such stuff as dreams are made on…” and “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…”
Al also loved music and he and Mandy hosted frequent raucous sing-along parties with student musicians at their home with offerings of vegetable soup made by Amanda, and freshly baked whole wheat bread made by Albert, to the joy of family and all who attended. One of those musician students was employed at the celebrated Mossman guitar factory in Kansas during summer break, and in off hours built Al a beautiful guitar of Brazilian rosewood with mother of pearl inlay. Students and family presented it to him at a big sing-along gathering, much to his surprise and delight. Al always said that guitar had the best sound in the world, and it remained one of his most cherished possessions until he passed it down to his son.
In mid-career, Al became fascinated with building home furniture including bookcases and tables. He even bought a plot of land on the outskirts of town and built an energy efficient home almost entirely by himself. Other interests included cross-country skiing, walking his dog and relaxing with a good book and a beer. He was also an avid card player and was always ready for a good game of Cribbage, Euchre or Pinochle with his family.
He is dearly missed by his children Kathleen Rygiel (Tom Aldrich), Mary Misseldine (Robert Clark), Carol Misseldine, Tom Misseldine (Karen), Jim Misseldine (Holly McCormack) and Sue Leedy (Dennis); grandchildren Erin Leedy, Kasi Misseldine and TJ Misseldine; nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; 4 great-grandchildren; his sister Betty Blake and many former students. Al was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ed, his sister Phyllis, his wife Amanda, his daughter Jean, his son-in-law Charles, and his great-granddaughter Xiomara Misseldine.
A Celebration of Life to honor and celebrate the lives of Albert, Amanda and Jean has been scheduled for May 3rd at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian from noon – 1:30 pm with a memorial visitation at 11 am to greet the family and other attendees. After the celebration service, the gathering will continue in the Heritage Room of the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee Humane Society. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
Al was born on September 3, 1932, in Banbury, England, the third of Thomas and Gladys (Healey) Misseldine’s four children. He immigrated to the United States when he was 17 and served his adopted country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Al attended Marquette University where he earned a BS and MA in English.
On July 12, 1954, Al married Amanda Christine Mertens in Jefferson City, Missouri; they were married for over 69 years before her death on March 24, 2024. They instilled in their seven children a thirst for knowledge, a love for animals, and a yearning sense of adventure that materialized in exciting family vacations. Favorites included exploring northern Michigan while camping in rustic cabins on the shores of Lake Ann and Lake Leelanau; climbing and racing down the sandy slopes of the Sleeping Bear Dunes; and, further from home, tenting and hiking in the back country of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
In 1965, Al accepted a position in the English Department of Adrian College at which time he and Mandy moved their young family from Milwaukee and made Adrian their home for the rest of their lives. For 32 years, Al shared his love and knowledge of English literature with many inquisitive and grateful Adrian College students. He loved the British writers most, especially George Orwell and William Shakespeare and would often regale students and family with favorite and relevant Shakesperian quotes including “This above all: to thine own self be true…” and “We are such stuff as dreams are made on…” and “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…”
Al also loved music and he and Mandy hosted frequent raucous sing-along parties with student musicians at their home with offerings of vegetable soup made by Amanda, and freshly baked whole wheat bread made by Albert, to the joy of family and all who attended. One of those musician students was employed at the celebrated Mossman guitar factory in Kansas during summer break, and in off hours built Al a beautiful guitar of Brazilian rosewood with mother of pearl inlay. Students and family presented it to him at a big sing-along gathering, much to his surprise and delight. Al always said that guitar had the best sound in the world, and it remained one of his most cherished possessions until he passed it down to his son.
In mid-career, Al became fascinated with building home furniture including bookcases and tables. He even bought a plot of land on the outskirts of town and built an energy efficient home almost entirely by himself. Other interests included cross-country skiing, walking his dog and relaxing with a good book and a beer. He was also an avid card player and was always ready for a good game of Cribbage, Euchre or Pinochle with his family.
He is dearly missed by his children Kathleen Rygiel (Tom Aldrich), Mary Misseldine (Robert Clark), Carol Misseldine, Tom Misseldine (Karen), Jim Misseldine (Holly McCormack) and Sue Leedy (Dennis); grandchildren Erin Leedy, Kasi Misseldine and TJ Misseldine; nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; 4 great-grandchildren; his sister Betty Blake and many former students. Al was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ed, his sister Phyllis, his wife Amanda, his daughter Jean, his son-in-law Charles, and his great-granddaughter Xiomara Misseldine.
A Celebration of Life to honor and celebrate the lives of Albert, Amanda and Jean has been scheduled for May 3rd at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian from noon – 1:30 pm with a memorial visitation at 11 am to greet the family and other attendees. After the celebration service, the gathering will continue in the Heritage Room of the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee Humane Society. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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