MERCHANT, Mary Alice October 16, 2012, age 99 years, 5 months and 20 days. Beloved wife of the late Alfred Briarty of 45 years. Mary Alice was born in Lafayette, OH on April 26, 1913, the daughter of the late Rev. Henry Germann Miley and the late Martha Sue Felton. Mary Alice received her formal education at Wittenberg College in Ohio and Wayne State University in Detroit. Mary Alice enjoyed a long career in Personnel and Human Resources work in Detroit for Allstate Insurance and BC/BS of Michigan. She was honored with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of three decades of service in the Human Resources profession by the International Association of Personnel Women. Mary Alice was a former member of the Women's Economic Club of Detroit and Zonta Club of Detroit. She had been an active member of St. Paul American Lutheran Church in Dearborn. Mary Alice was predeceased by brothers John Edward and George Henry and a sister Martha Miley. She is survived by her sister Anna Krzyk (the late Edward) of Novi, nephew Roy Meadows (Kathleen) of Sparks, Nevada and by friends Flo Bauer-Herrick of Las Vegas, Nevada and Michele Bovich of Dearborn. Mary Alice will be remembered for her concern for others, her capacity to achieve worthy goals and her ready wit. A special thank you is due the staffs of Oakwood Health Care System, Terrace Unit, and Arbor Hospice, Ann Arbor for their loving care. Visitation on Thursday, October 18th at 10:30 am from the Dearborn Chapel of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave. followed by services at 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul American Lutheran Church, 21915 Beech St., Dearborn, MI 48124 or to the charity of your choice. www.howepeterson.com.