Randy D. Merillat “Gump”, age 59, passed away on, Monday, June 2, 2025, at Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan. He was born on July 24, 1965, in Hudson, Michigan, to Doyce and Roberta (Mettert) Merillat.
Randy was a Pittsford High School graduate, class of 1983. On November 20, 2010, he married Tongi L. Hinds, she survives. He was very active in the FFA, serving both as the Pittsford President and State Secretary. Randy loved working on his family farm. In his younger years he raised Grand Champion Steers for two consecutive years at the Hudson Grange Fair. Randy was a hard worker who worked his way up to plant manager. He has worked all over in the automotive industry from Japan to Canada and all the states in between. When Randy wasn’t working you could find him gardening or building cars with his kids.
Left to honor the memory of Randy are his wife, Tongi Merillat; children, Adam Merillat, Luke Merillat, Braxton Davis, Jordyn Davis; brothers, Rick (Sue) Wallace, Jack Wallace; sister, Judy (Scott) Fitton; brother-in-law, Frank (Shelly) Hodos; five grandchildren, Ollie, Rihker, Madison, Emilyn, and Jasper. Preceding him in death are his parents and Dustin Davis
The family will receive friends for a visitation at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and an hour prior to the service. Funeral service will take place at the Brown-VanHemert Funeral Home on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Lime Creek Cemetery in Hudson, Michigan.
Memorial contributions can be made St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Future Farmers of America Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.brownvanhemert.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, Hudson.