Family History - Viola Marie ‘Merea’ Smith
(born Viola Marie Crippen)

1. Viola Marie ‘Merea’ Smith (born Viola Marie Crippen),¹ born 5 June 1897 in Coldwater Township, Isabella County, Michigan, the daughter of Nelson W. Crippen and Luella Courter;^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} died 4 May 1989 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan.^{2, 3} Merea married, 19 June 1913 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, Edward John Logan¹³ (born 4 February 1891 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan, the son of William Logan and Mary Kacey;^{6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13} Edward died 23 January 1963¹²). Merea and Edward are buried in Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan.^{12, 2} Merea was adopted by Jacob Leonard Smith and Iris Edith Knowlton.¹⁴

+	2	i.	Raymond Edward Logan, born 15 April 1914 in Michigan; died 14 February 1986. Married Fern Marguerite Wheeler.
+	3	ii.	Knowlton Forest ‘Noel’ Logan, born 28 March 1916 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died 8 April 1992 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan. Married Helen Louise Long.
+	4	iii.	Leonard ‘Bud’ Logan, born 4 March 1917 in Michigan; died 19 September 1967. Married Mary Ann Farnum.
+	5	iv.	Rev. Charles Fay Logan, born 25 November 1919 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died 7 May 1994 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan. Married Margaret H. ‘Betty’ Ellis.
+	6	v.	Robert F. Logan, born 16 February 1929 in Michigan; died 6 January 2015. Married Verona Lois Gribbell.
+	7	vi.	Shirley Edith Logan, born 22 May 1931 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died 16 December 1997 in Lake County, Michigan. Married David Robert Ruppert, Sr..

1. Michigan, County Births, 1867-1917, Isabella County, Viola Crippin, born: 5 June 1897 in Coldwater Twp., Isabella County, Michigan; father: Nelson Crippin, born in New York, farmer; mother: Levilla [sic] Crippin, born in Ohio.
2. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Viola Merea Smith Logan, born: 5 June 1897 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan; died: 7 May 1989 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan (from record, which provides the names and links for his [step-] father, husband, and one child).
3. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Program Correspondence/Document, Viola M. Logan, alias: Viola M. Crippen, died: 4 May 1989; born: 5 June 1897 in Coldwater Tw [sic, Township], Michigan; father: Nelson Crippin; mother: Luella Courter.
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Michigan, Isabella County, Mt. Pleasant, E.D. 75, Sheet No. 9B-10A, Jesse Braucher, 35, Pennsylvania, Nov. 1864, laborer; wife of 12 years Idel Braucher, 34, Ohio, Apr. 1866, 5 children, 4 living; s. daughter Mertle L. Caufield, 16, Ohio, Nov. 1883; s. daughter Martha E. Pepper, 14, Ohio, Aug. 1885; son Ham E. Braucher, 10, Michigan, Sept. 1889; son Arthur W. Braucher, 1, Aug. 1898; sis in law Luella Crippen, 34, Ohio, Apr. 1866, widow, 5 children, 4 living; niece Alice Edna Crippen, 10, Arkansas, Nov. 1889; niece Stella M. Crippen, 7, Michigan, Nov. 1892; niece Viola Crippen, 2, Michigan, June 1897; nephew Charley J. Crippen, 1, Michigan, Apr. 1899; g. daughter Norah B. Crippen, 8/12, Michigan, Sept. 1899.
5. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Ohio, Wood County, Perry Township, E.D. 201, Sheet No. 4A, Jacob L. Smith, 43, Ohio, teamster, mill work; wife of 20 years Iris E. Smith, 37, Michigan, 2 children, 2 living; son Raymond Smith, 20, Michigan, rafter [?], carriage works; daughter Viola M. Smith, 12, Michigan; mother Catherine Smith, 87, Ohio, widow, 5 children, 4 living.
6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 87, Sheet No. 24B, Edward Logan, 27, Michigan, laborer, lumber yard; wife Marie Logan, 29, Michigan; son Noel Logan, 3 11/12, Michigan; son Leonard Logan, 2 10/12, Michigan; daughter [sic, this is a son] Fay Logan, 2/12, Michigan.
7. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids City, E.D. 41-75, Sheet No. 6B, John Logan, 38, Michigan, first married age 22, cement layer, street construction; wife Marie Logan, 31, Michigan, first married age 16.
8. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Lake County, Dover Township, E.D. 43-3, Sheet No. 1A, Edward Logan, 49, Michigan, farmer, farm; wife Marie Logan, 41, Michigan; son Ray Logan, 26, Michigan, farmer, farm; son Knolton Logan, 24, Michigan, farmer, farm; son Robert Logan, 11, Michigan; daughter Shirley Logan, 8, Michigan; for all: residence on 1 April 1935: Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.
9. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Newaygo County, Grant, E.D. 62-24. Sheet No. 19, Edward Logan, 59, Michigan, farm, farming; wife Marie Logan, 51, Michigan; son Knowlton Logan, 34, Michigan, finisher, furniture factory.
10. Michigan, County Births, 1867-1917, Isabella County, Edward J. Logan, born; 4 February 1891 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; father: Wm. John Logan, nursery agent, born in Canada; mother: Mary Logan, born in Canada.
11. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Edward John Logan, born: 4 February 1890 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; occupation: teamster; married, wife and three children.
12. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Edward J. Logan, born: 24 February 1891 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Michigan; died: 23 January 1963 (from record, which provides the names and links for his wife and one child).
13. Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925, Edward Logan, age 22, born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, farmer, father: Wm. Logan; mother: Mary Kacey; not previously married; Viola M. Smith, age 16, born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, father: Leonard Smith; mother: Iris Knowlton; not previously married; married on 19 June 1913 in Gd. [Grand] Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.
14. Divorce Filing, Isabella County Enterprise, Isabella County, Michigan (available at digmichnews.cmich.edu), 31 March 1916, MORE LOCALS. “Iris E. Smith has begun suit for divorce against Jacob L. Smith, alleging cruelty and non-support. They were married in Mt. Pleasant twenty-six years ago and have one son, Raymond, and an adopted daughter, Mirea. They live in Grand Rapids. --Contributed.” [They apparently did not divorce, since they appear together in the 1920 and 1930 US Censuses.]

2. Raymond Edward Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 15 April 1914 in Michigan;^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} died 14 February 1986.¹ Raymond married, 28 March 1942 in Luther, Lake County, Michigan, Fern Marguerite Wheeler⁷ (born 27 February 1923 in Michigan, the daughter of Walter William Wheeler and Maude Violet Tuttle;^{5, 6} Fern died 27 January 1997 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan⁶). Raymond and Fern are buried in Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan.^{1, 6}

	8	i.	Sharon Marie Logan, born 26 February 1943 in Dover Township, Lake County, Michigan;8, 9 died 9 January 1944 in Ellsworth Township, Lake County, Michigan.8, 9 Sharon is buried in Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan.8
	9	ii.	Raymond Edward Logan, Jr., born 21 January 1944 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan;5, 10, 11 died 8 May 1995.10, 11 Raymond is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan.10
	10	iii.	Nancy Marguerite Logan, born 1 September 1949 in Sparta, Kent County, Michigan;5, 12 died 26 November 2022 in Newaygo, Newaygo County, Michigan.12 Nancy is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan.12
	11	iv.	Lee Knowlton Logan, born 27 September 1951.13

3. Knowlton Forest ‘Noel’ Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 28 March 1916 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan;^{4, 14, 15, 16, 17} died 8 April 1992 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan.¹⁴ Noel married Helen Louise Long (born 28 September 1920, the daughter of Donald Long and Lina Parks;¹⁸ Helen died 25 November 1984¹⁸). Noel and Helen are buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Cascade Township, Kent County, Michigan.^{14, 18}

4. Leonard ‘Bud’ Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 4 March 1917 in Michigan;^{3, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22} died 19 September 1967.^{19, 20} Bud married, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, Mary Ann Farnum²⁴ (born 9 July 1914 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis Jonathan Farnum and Maude B. Hiser;^{21, 22, 23} Mary died 6 October 1988 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan²³). Bud is buried in Rosedale Memorial Park, Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, Michigan.¹⁹ Mary is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Sparta, Kent County, Michigan.²³

5. Rev. Charles Fay Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 25 November 1919 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan;^{16, 25, 26, 27, 28} died 7 May 1994 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan.^{25, 26, 27} Charles married, 18 October 1940 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, Margaret H. ‘Betty’ Ellis²⁶ (born 8 January 1921 in Indiana, the daughter of Edwin A. Ellis and Ina _____;^{28, 29} Betty died 4 September 1989²⁹). Charles and Betty are buried in Burr Oak Cemetery, Athens, Calhoun County, Michigan.^{25, 29}

6. Robert F. Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 16 February 1929 in Michigan;^{4, 30, 31} died 6 January 2015.^{30, 32} Robert married, 3 December 1949 in Dover Township, Lake County, Michigan, Verona Lois Gribbell³² (born 13 August 1929 in Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa, the daughter of Frederick J. Gribbell and Ruth S. Jacobs;^{31, 32} Verona died 9 June 2021 in Tustin, Osceola County, Michigan³²). Robert is buried in Burdell Township Cemetery South, Tustin, Osceola County, Michigan.³⁰

7. Shirley Edith Logan² (Viola ‘Merea’¹), born 22 May 1931 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan;^{4, 33, 34, 35} died 16 December 1997 in Lake County, Michigan.^{33, 34} Shirley married David Robert Ruppert, Sr. (born 23 September 1923 in Luther, Lake County, Michigan, the son of George David Ruppert and Effie Bell Wilder;^{35, 36} David died 30 September 1997 in Lake County, Michigan³⁶). Shirley is buried in Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan.³³

12

i.

David Robert Ruppert, Jr., born June 1949 in Michigan.35

1. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Ray E. Logan, born: 15 April 1914 in Michigan; died: 14 February 1986 (from record, which provides the names and links for his wife and one child).
2. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 87, Sheet No. 23B, Leonard Smith, 54, Ohio, sweeper, flour mill; wife Iris Smith, 47, Michigan; grandson Raybird Smith [sic, Raymond Logan, not Smith], 5, Michigan.
3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Kent County, Paris Township, E.D. 41-127, Sheet No. 14B, Jacob L. Smith, 65, Ohio, first married age 25, proprietor, leaning [sic] work; wife Iris E. Smith, 58, Michigan, first married age 18; grand-son Raymond Logan, 15, Michigan; grand-son Leonard Logan, 13, Michigan.
4. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Lake County, Dover Township, E.D. 43-3, Sheet No. 1A, Edward Logan, 49, Michigan, farmer, farm; wife Marie Logan, 41, Michigan; son Ray Logan, 26, Michigan, farmer, farm; son Knolton Logan, 24, Michigan, farmer, farm; son Robert Logan, 11, Michigan; daughter Shirley Logan, 8, Michigan; for all: residence on 1 April 1935: Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.
5. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Newaygo County, Grant, E.D. 62-24, Sheet No. 9, Ray Logan, 35, Michigan, laborer, factory; wife Fern Logan, 27, Michigan; son Raymond Logan, 6, Michigan; daughter Nancy Logan, Sept., Michigan.
6. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Fern Marguerite Wheeler Logan, born: 12 February 1923 in Michigan; died: 27 January 1997 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, husband and one child).
7. Michigan Marriages, 1822-1995; Ray Logan, born in Michigan; father: Edward Logan; mother: Marie Smith; Fern Wheeler, born in Michigan; father: Walter Wheeler; mother: Maude Tuttle; married on 28 March 1942 in Luther, Lake [County], Michigan.
8. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Sharon Marie Logan, born: 26 February 1943 in Lake County, Michigan; died: 9 January 1944 in Lake County, Michigan (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents). Her gravestone shows her date of death as 7 January 1944.
9. Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952. Sharon Marie Logan, died: 9 January 1944 in Ellsworth, Lake [County], Michigan; born: 26 February 1943 in Dover, Michigan; father: Raymond Logan; mother: Fern Wheller [sic].
10. Find a Grave (website). Hillside Cemetery, Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan, Raymond Edward Logan, Jr., born: 21 January 1944; died: 8 May 1995 (from record).
11. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Program Correspondence/Document, Raymond E. Logan, Jr., died: 8 May 1995; born: 21 January 1944 in Reed City, Michigan; father: Raymond E. Logan; mother: Fern M. Wheeler.
12. Find a Grave (website). Hillside Cemetery, Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan, Nancy Marguerite Logan Torres, born: 1 September 1949 in Sparta, Kent County, Michigan; died: 26 November 2022 in Newaygo, Newaygo County, Michigan (from record, which includes the text from her obituary).
13. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
14. Find a Grave (website). Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Cascade Township, Kent County, Michigan, Knowlton Forrest Logan, born: 28 March 1916 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died: 8 April 1992 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan (from record, which includes a note: father: Edward Logan; mother: Marie Crippen; and provides the name and link for his wife).
15. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Security Applications, Knowlton Forrest Logan, born: 28 March 1916 in Grand Rapids, Michigan; father: Edward J. Logan; mother: Meir Smith [in one entry]; Maria V. Crippen [in another entry].
16. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 87, Sheet No. 24B, Edward Logan, 27, Michigan, laborer, lumber yard; wife Marie Logan, 29, Michigan; son Noel Logan, 3 11/12, Michigan; son Leonard Logan, 2 10/12, Michigan; daughter [sic, this is a son] Fay Logan, 2/12, Michigan.
17. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Newaygo County, Grant, E.D. 62-24. Sheet No. 19, Edward Logan, 59, Michigan, farm, farming; wife Marie Logan, 51, Michigan; son Knowlton Logan, 34, Michigan, finisher, furniture factory.
18. Find a Grave (website). Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Cascade Township, Kent County, Michigan, Helen Louise Long Logan, born: 28 September 1920; died: 25 November 1984 in Kentwood, Kent County, Michigan (from record, which includes a note naming her parents; provides the name and link for her husband).
19. Find a Grave (website). Rosedale Memorial Park, Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, Leonard Logan, born: 1917; died: September 1967 (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents).
20. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Claim Files, Leonard Logan, died: 19 September 1967; born: 4 March 1917.
21. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 86-128B, Sheet No. 4B, Maude Farnam, 49, Michigan, widow; lodger Martin Keizer, 36, Netherlands, gardener, private estate; lodger Leonard Logan, 23, Michigan, gardener, private estate; daughter Mary Farnum, 25, Michigan, cook, hotel.
22. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 87-36, Sheet No. 14, Leonard Logan, 33, Michigan, truck driver, wholesale gas and oil co.; wife Mary A. Logan, 36, Michigan, ordering clerk, music store.
23. Find a Grave (website). Greenwood Cemetery, Sparta, Kent County, Michigan, Mary Ann Farnum Hensel, born: 9 July 1914 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died: 6 October 1988 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan (from record, which includes a note naming her parent and detailing her two marriages and husbands; and provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, and one husband).
24. Marriage Announcement, The Osceola County Herald, Osceola County, Michigan (available at: digmichnews.cmich.edu), 10 October 1940, Leonard Logan and Mary Farnum, married in Grand Rapids “recently.”
25. Find a Grave (website). Burr Oak Cemetery, Athens, Calhoun County, Michigan, Rev. C. Fay Logan, born: 25 November 1919; died: 7 May 1994 (from record, which provides the name and link for his wife).
26. Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006, Herrick Public Library, The Reverend C. Fay Logan, age 74, died: 7 May 1994; born: 25 November 1919 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his wife and siblings.
27. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Charles Fay Logan, died: 7 May 1994 in Port Huron, St. Clair [County], Michigan; born: 25 November 1919.
28. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Kent County, Grand Rapids, E.D. 87-63, Sheet No. 11-12, Edwin A. Ellis, 61, Michigan, screen man, paper mill; wife Ina B. Ellis 46, Indiana; son-in-law Fay C. Logan, 30, Michigan, minister, undenominational church; daughter Margaret H. Logan, 29, Indiana.
29. Find a Grave (website). Burr Oak Cemetery, Athens, Calhoun County, Michigan, Margaret “Betty” H. Ellis Logan, born: 8 January 1921; died: 4 September 1989 (from record, which provides the names and link for her parents and husband).
30. Find a Grave (website). Burdell Township Cemetery South, Tustin, Osceola County, Michigan, Robert F. Logan, born: 16 February 1929; died: 6 January 2015 (from record).
31. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Newaygo County, Grant, E.D. 62-24. Sheet No. 19, Robert Logan [indexed as Rogan], 21, Michigan, farming, farm; wife Verona Logan, 20, Iowa.
32. Obituary, Peterson Funeral and Cremation Services (website: petersonfh.com), Verona Lois Logan, died: 9 June 2021 in Tustin, Michigan; born: 13 August 1929 in Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, siblings, husband, children, and grandchildren, including spouses of the above.
33. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, Shirley E. Ruppert, born: 22 May 1931 in Lake County, Michigan; died: 16 December 1997 in Lake County, Michigan (from record, which includes notes naming her husband and one child; and provides the name and link for her husband).
34. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Program Correspondence/Document, Shirley Edith Ruppert, alias: Shirley Edith Logan, died: 16 December 1997; born: 22 May 1931 in Grand Rapids, Michigan; father: John E. Logan; mother: Viola M. Smith.
35. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Lake County, Ellsworth, E.D. 43-8, Sheet No. 8, Robert Ruppert, 26, Michigan, laborer, window maker; wife Shirley Ruppert, 19, Michigan; son Robert Ruppert, Jr., June, Michigan.
36. Find a Grave (website). Bristol Cemetery, Bristol, Lake County, Michigan, David Robert Ruppert, Sr., born: 23 September 1923 in Luther, Lake County, Michigan; died: 30 September 1997 in Lake County, Michigan (from record, which includes notes naming his wife and parents; and provides the names and links for his parents, siblings, and wife).