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Derek Merrell Obituary
Derek Joseph Merrell, 21, of Lafayette, died at 2 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Dayton.
He was born February 23, 1991, in Lafayette to Laurence N. Merrell and Kristine M. Gardiner
Derek attended Lafayette Jefferson High School.
Derek enjoyed playing basketball, video gaming, texting his friends, music and being with his family.
Surviving are his father, Laurence Neal Merrell, of Dayton, and mother, Kristine Michelle Gardiner, of Lafayette; brother, Dustin Merrell, Dayton; sister, Marissa Gardner, of Lafayette; grandparents, Robert and Patsy Merrell, Tom and Donna Gardner, and Bill and Mel Gardiner, all of Lafayette; aunts and uncles Joyce and Mike Schimmel, Jessica Deetz, Angie Schimmel, Kelly and Paul Spitznagle, Amber Mitchell and Ashlyn Hughes, all of Lafayette; aunts Sherri DesEnfants, Michelle Harner and Nicole Sanders, all of Lafayette; Uncle Jeff Gardiner, of Fla.; Aunt Kathy Brinlee, of Oregon; cousins, Amanda, Alicia and Andrew DesEnfants, Alex, and Breana Wethington, Ryan Harner, Dakota Brinlee, and Todd, Emily and Haley Sanders.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2013, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel.
A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel; Pastor Eric Schneider officiating.
Burial will follow at IOOF Memorial Gardens in Delphi.
You may sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Derek Merrell
Sponsored by Kristine Michelle Gardiner, mother .
Mom Mom
April 24, 2019
I miss you Derej. It's 6 years now and funny thing is I thought all of nasty year was 6 years. 5 years hit me hard so I guess God helped me out. The power of the Lord
Kris Gardiner
April 24, 2019
Derek I love you.you are my protector... Our protector. In heaven you can't be stopped. I miss you more each day and were not doing well. God doesn't give you more than you can handle... Really. There's always the question is there going to be another tomorrow. Tomorrow could be with you and I embrace in knowing that.
Kris Gardiner
August 7, 2017
I'm having a tough time right now... Always hard but then there are the days that are unbearable. The four months made it able for me to focus on the right things in life and trying to figure out how to go on in this life of the unknown. I'm not sure where I go from here but God has got this Cuz there's no way I can do this alone. I miss you so much Derek... See you when i see you love mom
Mindy McKee- Robinson
July 23, 2017
I LOVE AND MISS YOU MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY!!! YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE MY OWN SON!!!
Derek Merrell
July 23, 2017
I just read thru all the commets in the guest book and it's so comforting to see how much you were already missed, loved, & cared about. That is obvious with 500 ppl that came to visit and that you have touched so many people's lives..... You will never be forgotten. I miss you so much. Love you mom
Missing you... always
Kris- - mom Gardiner
February 18, 2017
Well.. Derek, we just went thru year 4. Doesn't seem possible you've been gone this long. I finally took you're sweet baby with me to visit and it was such an incredible feeling to watch her just sit and stare at your stone with pic and then she walked and looked behind then came right back and say down. Her eyes didn't come off of you until we back up and took off. This was the most hardest pain and the years are still coming but ,we know, they always will. Things aren't any better and God knows I have tried but sometimes you can't do things alone. I won't quit trying... never goodbye always see you when I see you... love you mom
Ryan & Kala Merrell (Son of Mick Merrell
February 25, 2013
Lawrence, Kristine, and Merrell family we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you and the family in these very tough times.
Heidi Davies
February 21, 2013
Laurence and Kris, thoughts and prayers are with you always, so sorry for your loss.
Rose (Walters) Helmerick
February 20, 2013
Laurence, Bob, Patsy, & families....I just heard about the loss of Derek. My heart breaks for you. Know that my prayers are with you all. May God give you peace and comfort during this time.
Delores (G) Linback
February 20, 2013
This candle will light his way to the lord, I promise you that, He is safe now, I lost my son to,
kevin linback
February 20, 2013
Are hearts are with u and your family,If you need enything just ask, The Linback Family
Kayleigh
February 19, 2013
I still can't believe it... Finding out, I don't think I've ever stared at one single sentence longer. Each time I read it only filled me with more disbelief. "There's just no way." It's been awhile, but I can still picture your smile and hear your laugh coming from the other side of the room. Rest easy, Lil D. We'll be missin' you..
megan adkins
February 19, 2013
rest in peace derek
Helen Hession
February 19, 2013
Kris, I am so sorry for your loss. One so young should never be taken. My heartfelt sympathies are with you.
Kim Edmondson Holmes
February 19, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family at this time.
Kay Mull
February 19, 2013
Bob & Patsy, Lawrence, and family: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Derek. You are in my prayers.
Sammi Daugherty & Matthew Louden
February 19, 2013
Derek you are missed so much by everyone. It was the hardest seeing you. We miss you so much. It went from about 20 people to almost a hundred in the hour and a half that Matt and I were there. We brought some flowers to you too. I miss you so much and you are very much lived by many. Your family is so great I love them all. I just hope the best to them especially for Dustin. Lord knows he is taking this so hard like us all but he is your brother and it's so hard seeing him. I loved all of us hangin out when he was able to be there. I have no goodbye to say to you, I will see you another time in my life and it will go just back to the way it was. We love you Derek!
RIP
Cathy & Rory Rickes
February 18, 2013
We are so very sorry for your loss. May the memories you share bring you comfort is this time of sorrow. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family and friends of Derek.
adam tyner
February 18, 2013
Lawerence so sorry for yours and your families lose.THoughts and prayers with you
Marilyn Sisson-Strong
February 18, 2013
Bob and Patsy and Donna and Tom, I am so sorry for the loss of your Grandson. I have not lost a Grandchild, but lost a Son far too soon and I know how much your heart hurts. I will pray for God to ease your pain and help you understand. My Sympathy to the Merrell and Gardiner families. Marilyn (Harner) Sisson-Strong
Bob & Nancy Vanderipe
February 18, 2013
Derek's Family, Our deepest sympathy to the whole Family.
Julie Hufford
February 18, 2013
Laurence,Kris and Families.. My deepest Sympathy on the loss of Derek. My heart breaks for all of you!! May you find some comfort in wonderful memories of Derek..
Julie Schimmel Hufford
andrea smith
February 18, 2013
RIP Derek. See you on the other side!
John & Donna Jean Lovellette
February 18, 2013
Wishing you hope and peace during this difficult time.
Chuck & Geri Merrell
February 18, 2013
Lawrence & Kristine, we were so saddened to hear. Our hearts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. It's a time for everyone to come togeather for strenght.
February 18, 2013
Lawrence, Kris & Family, Peace be with you all, may Derek rest in peace. Dick Gardiner
Erin Orange
February 17, 2013
somethings in life will never be understood, and Dereks passing is one of those things. loss for words. miss you so much.
Charles & Michelle F
February 17, 2013
I am so sorry for the loss of Derek. Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
RIP Derek Never forgotten and always loved by many.
Linda Sollars
February 17, 2013
Laurence and Kris I'm so sorry for you loss my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. RIP Derek ..
Bob and Joyce Cornell
February 17, 2013
Sorry for your loss. May God be with you.
pablo frezza
February 17, 2013
i wont say goodbye because i know that you'll always be with us in our hearts. You are loved by many and friends to everyone i know, R.I.P. Never forgotten
Dee Alexander
February 17, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss, to you both Kris and Lawrence! May God be with you both during this very difficult time!!
RIP Derek, you will be missed by so many! Never forgotten!
brittany jacobson
February 17, 2013
you will always be missed only the good die young
Joselynn Alford
February 17, 2013
You are missed and loved by sooo many people. Please watch over all of us. Rip Derek. Live in the sky.
Thomas Merrell
February 17, 2013
Lawrence and Kristine, our thoughts are with you thru the coming days, weeks and months. Family, friends and church will help you get thru and endure. Our father says you can lean on us.
Tom and Judy Merrell
epi solano
February 17, 2013
U will always be missed
Laura Kerr
February 17, 2013
Praying for God to give you all extra strength during this sad and difficult time. Derek was so blessed to have such a wonderful family.
Adam & Jessica Deetz
February 17, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to my family & his friends. Derek, gone too soon, a life missed of filling memories. For all the friends and my family that knew Derek, please pray for peace and comfort for those left behind and cherish the memories you do have of him. I pray he is with The Lord, no longer fighting whatever internal battles we all fight everyday! Gone too soon:(
For all to live by; keep your heart God centered, your head clear and your body pure. Love one another like there is no tmro, know God loves you more than anyone or anything could ever love you and that He can erase pain and sorrow, nothing else!
Much love and our condolences.
Kenny and Heather Lowry
February 17, 2013
So sorry Lawerence and Kristine our thoughts are with you at this time.
Mike and Roxanne Parks
February 17, 2013
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Sammi D
February 17, 2013
Derek I miss you so much. I can't believe all of this. Me and randy were shoppin today for him to get sum clothes ready for you n u were probably laughin at what we were doin watchin down on us. I think you were watchin even more because my car never starts right back up and it started on the first try when we left. Last time I was at the mall was with you and Matt. Damn I miss everything. Always a ride or die. I miss you so much and this should not even be here to fill out for at least another 60+ yrs, but I know u lived everyday like it was your last and you had a great time doin you. You are a great person and will not ever be forgotten ever. You'll always be on my mind that's for sure. I miss you so much Derek and I just hate knowing that my only dude aint gonna be around when I get to go all out. I was waiting for that day to come. Love you Derek and you'll not ever be forgotten. RIP <3
Sammi D
February 17, 2013
Derek I miss you so much. I can't believe all of this. Me and randy were shoppin today for him to get sum clothes ready for you n u were probably laughin at what we were doin watchin down on us. I think you were watchin even more because my car never starts right back up and it started on the first try when we left. Last time I was at the mall was with you and Matt. Damn I miss everything. Always a ride or die. I miss you so much and this should not even be here to fill out for at least another 60+ yrs, but I know u lived everyday like it was your last and you had a great time doin you. You are a great person and will not ever be forgotten ever. You'll always be on my mind that's for sure. I hate knowing that my only boy aint gonna be around when I get to go all out. I was waiting for that day to come. Love you Derek and you'll not ever be forgotten. RIP <3
Natasha Add
February 17, 2013
RIP DEREK YOU WILL BE MISSED
Justin scott
February 17, 2013
He will be forever missed. I did have the privilege to know Lil D he was one of my best friends he was like my little brother, i we grew up together and my heart goes out to all the family and friends of one of the best guys ive ever known.
Thanks for the memories bro you'll always be missed but never forgotten.
carra Snapp
February 16, 2013
Derek was a real good friend to me. I was always there for him when he needed me. He was a great guy to be around and always made me smile. I will never forget him or the impact he has made on me and many of our friends. I love you Derek!
Brittany-Ann
February 16, 2013
RIP Lil D! Gone too soon but never forgotten!!
kelsey harrington
February 16, 2013
derek, you were one of a kind. you are forever in everyones memories and hearts. watch over all of us. RIP <3
Monita DeLancy-Faurote
February 16, 2013
rest easy derek
diana mccollum
February 16, 2013
I didnt know Derek,but friend of mine did, so sorry for your loss
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Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – Lafayette Chapel400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909-7113
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