Hollis “Butch” Merlin Rockwell Jr.

Hollis "Butch" M. Rockwell Jr., 78, of Shelby, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026. He was born June 5, 1947, the son of Hollis Sr. and Hazel (Straley) Rockwell.

Hollis had grown up in Elbridge Township on his father's dairy farm and worked for some of the neighboring farmers throughout his childhood. Hollis worked for Henkels & McCoy plowing in telecommunication cable, traveling through many states which he must have enjoyed the travel because he then became a long-haul trucker. In the spring of 1977 Hollis & Sue Ann purchased the farm that is still today known as Rockwell Farms. He then retired from long-haul trucking in 2001 and became a beef cattle and asparagus farmer.

Hollis is survived by the love of his life, Sue Ann (McCarty) Rockwell, they just celebrated their 60th anniversary on February 5, 2026; daughters Stephanie (Lance) Van Sickle and Cynthia (Rlee) West, both of Hart; sons, Hollis (Jillian) Rockwell III of Shelby and Christopher Simkins of Hart; 18 grand children; 21 great-grand children and 6 great-great grand Children; brothers Larry Rockwell of Shelby, Richard Rockwell of Casanovia, Dan (Margie) Rockwell of Shelby; brother-in-law, Bill Lovell of Wisconsin; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Hollis was preceded in death by: his parents, Hollis Sr and Hazel (Straley) Rockwell; sisters, Charlotte (Rick) Woodard of Suite Ste. Marie, Louise (Lewis) Snellenberger of Muskegon and Helen Lovell of Florida; grandsons, Steven West and Paul Simkins.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Elbridge Community Cemetery, 2266 E. Polk Road. Hart, MI 49420. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, May 8, 2026, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave. Shelby MI 49455.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice,1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400 Muskegon, MI 49441.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge or arrangements. 

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