Eldon Hayes Coller

  General Notes:

Eldon Hayes Coller was born on land William and Ethel owned in Sanilac County, Michigan. At the time of his birth there would have been no substantial buildings on the land. Research shows he was born in a old homestead building that is shown on a 1894 plat map of the property. At the intersection of S. Germania and Mushroom roads, go east on Mushroom. The beginning of William and Ethel's land would begin on the south side of the road about 1320 feet from the intersection. Currently it appears to have many trees growing on it.

When Eldon was 6 years old he came down with Polio. He was on the road to recovery by 1927. Eldon got polio from a friend of his named Wally who died from the disease.

The Hayes middle name used by Eldon, Mark and Gary Coller came from the name of the pastor who married Ethel May Miller and William McKinley Coller. His name was Rev. Lewis Hayes of the Evangelical Church in Flint, Michigan.

A letter from Jack Coller to Eldon Coller in 1925 hoped he was feeling better. This would be a reference to polio.

Additional information provided by Marry Ellen Welsh concerning the circumstances surrounding the birth of Eldon Coller: Mom described the place much as you have described it. It was the most God forsaken building in the middle of nowhere with no insulation and very little in the way of "kitchen" area. The wind sailed through the cracks in the wooden walls. Somehow word reached her parents about the birth, I'm not sure how, but I remember her saying that here came her dad in a buckboard or some wagon loaded with all sorts of food and things that she would need. After seeing the dismal place she was living, her father loaded her into the wagon as soon as she was able to travel and took her back to Flint. It was not a pleasant time of her life. Did your dad tell you that the middle name Hayes came from not only the name of the minister who married them but the doctor who delivered him? I always thought that was pretty neat.

Eldon was in the commercial art business both as an artist and studio owner. In 1940 he was living with the Welsh family in Macomb County and working full time at Gray Garfield and Lange in Detroit as an artist. He worked 52 weeks of the year at 45 hours a week. His income for that year was $1200. He spent a short time working in the Los Angeles area of California before moving back to Detroit. One document found states that on 3/6/48 he was in business at 3410 West Chicago Boulevard, Detroit 6, Michigan. His DBA was Eldon Coller. Eldon had 3.5 employees and they worked in the basement of the building. Eldon's last business venture was Professional Art Studios, Inc. located at 736 Lothrop, Detroit, Michigan 48202. Professional Art Studios was incorporated on July 22, 1958 and was in business for 47 years.


Following is a memorial to Eldon Hayes Coller:
Eldon Hayes Coller, age 95, died on March 13, 2015 in Holland, Michigan.
On September 20, 1919, Eldon was born to Ethel May Coller (Miller) and William McKinley Coller on a farm they owned in Sanilac County, Michigan. While growing up some of his best times were spent with his Grandparents, Harvey and Alice Miller, at their home which was located on the waterway between Lobdell and Bennett lakes near Linden, Michigan. In 1937 he graduated from Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
Early in life he developed a natural talent for art. As a child he could memorize the world around him and draw pictures of it in great detail. While becoming an accomplished artist, he also developed his skills in the business world. Eldon met Shirley Makima at an art studio where they were both employed as artists, and they were married on October 9, 1948. Shortly after their marriage Eldon started his own art studio - Professional Art Studios in Detroit, Michigan which was in business for 47 years. With a staff of artists he became successful in commercial art and advertising. Important contributions to his business success were made by his brother, Fred Welsh, and friend Mike Luckow.

When not working he was often creating paintings and illustrations. He also spent much of his time on the water, fishing and exploring. Over time he owned various boats, large and small, which he used to travel the waters of the Great Lakes region. Among his many travels, there were a number north into Canada. He enjoyed going to the remote headwaters of the Montreal River where he would be able to spend time living in the wild where much of your diet consisted of the fish you caught that day.
He also enjoyed reading books and poems. Eldon would recite passages of many poems he had read years before. Eldon had a full life which words here cannot fully describe.
Eldon was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, who died on October 13, 2014 after 66 years of marriage. Eldon and Shirley are survived by three children - Mark, Gary and Linden. There are also eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Eldon is survived by his brother Fred Welsh, and sisters Alice Davies and Meg Widmer. His sister Grace Winslow passed a few years ago.

Glen Eden Cemetery is located at 35667 W. Eight Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152. The section of the cemetery is located in the southeast corner and is called "Rest".

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Picture: 1926 Dodge Sedan.

2. Picture: William and Ethel Coller Farm: Snover, Michigan.

3. Picture: Eldon with his mother Ethel.

4. Picture, 1894, Lamotte Township, Sanilac County, Michigan.

5. Residence: 1422 Richfield Road, Flint, Michigan, 1925.

6. Residence: 214 West Dartmouth, 1927.

7. Residence: 422 Davison Road, Flint Michigan, 1931.

8. Picture: Coller home: Farmington Hills, Michigan.

9. Picture: Coller home: Franklin, Michigan.

10. Picture: Eldon and Shirley Headstone.

11. Picture: 4835 Bedford Rd., Detroit, Michigan.

12. Residence: 25074 Glynholm Court, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

13. Residence: 19340 Williams Street, Macomb County, Michigan, 1940.

14. Residence: 22482 Beach Drive, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, 1942.

Eldon married Grace Eileen Rothlisberger on 14 Nov 1940 in Roseville, Macomb County, Michigan. The marriage ended in divorce. (Grace Eileen Rothlisberger was born on 12 Dec 1919 in Detroit, Michigan and died on 10 Oct 2005 in Clearwater, Florida.)

Eldon next married Shirley Elaine Makima, daughter of Enoch Erhardt Makima and Sisko Eliina Hokkanen, on 9 Oct 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. (Shirley Elaine Makima was born on 31 Jul 1924 in Highland Park, Michigan, died on 13 Oct 2014 in Owosso, Michigan and was buried in Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia, Michigan.)

  Marriage Notes:

The wedding reception for Eldon and Shirley was held at the Botsford Inn in Farmington Hills, Michigan.