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Steve Merchant Obituary

MERCHANT Steve L. Merchant, 57, of Columbus, Oh., died June 2, 2009, at home surrounded by love after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 8, 1952 in Columbus, Oh., the son of William and Gertrude Merchant. He graduated from Ohio University in 1974 and was then employed by Nationwide Insurance for 30 years. Throughout his life, Steve L. Merchant was full of life and enjoyed warm weather. He continued to enjoy life even as death drew near with trips to Key West, Miami and Las Vegas with friends and family. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Staci and Walter Wojdyla of Miami, Fla.; son, Neal Merchant of Columbus, Oh.; father, William Merchant of Columbus, Oh.; and sister, Jan Grau of Columbus, Oh.; grandson, Conner Merchant; along with many nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. Steve Merchant was preceded in death by his mother Gertrude Merchant. A remembrance is to be held at his childhood home, Saturday, June 6th at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Stand Up to Cancer at 1801 W. Olympic Blvd., Pasadena Calif. 91199-1224 and make checks payable to "SU2C" or via phone at 888-907-8263.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch on Jun. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Steve Merchant

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Phyllis Estepp

June 12, 2009

I am very saddened to learn of Steve's passing. He was an amazing guy...full of life. He and Doug Harned used to harass me at the Nationwide Fitness Center for years...I could always count on a laugh and smile out of Steve. Even in the midst of his illness, he still remained positive and very upbeat. I will miss him. May God be with Steve's family during this difficult time.

Phyllis Estepp

Phyllis Estepp

June 12, 2009

I am very saddened to learn of Steve's passing. He was an amazing guy...full of life. He and Doug Harned used to harass me at the Nationwide Fitness Center for years...I could always count on a laugh and smile out of Steve. Even in the midst of his illness, he still remained positive and very upbeat. I will miss him. May God be with Steve's family during this difficult time.

Phyllis Estepp

R. Gabel

June 6, 2009

I worked with Steve for many years . He was a good friend and co-worker. He loved his Starbucks . He will be missed.

Jack Wolfe

June 6, 2009

I was very saddened to hear about Steve's passing. Go in piece my friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Steve's family and I hope the great memories you carry with you will be strong medicine in the days to come. I can only smile thinking of Steve as we spent our youth together growing up in Clintonville. Always the competitor, Steve and I became boyhood friends when his Dad coached our first basketball team at the Whetstone Rec Center. This friendship grew through our years growing up together both on and off the court. You could always count on Steve to make us laugh. Staci and Neal, I am sorry I cannot be there today to celebrate his life with you. He holds a special place in my life. Take comfort that he was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Shanna Crawford

June 5, 2009

Steve was not a blood relative but he might as well have been. He's the father of my cousions and such a strong man. In his last days when I went over to his house to see him he always had a smile on his face he always seemed so happy when i was there and he loved kids. When I brought mine and Daniels son to see him he just smiled and played with Haydens little legs. He was a wonderful man and heaven has just gained a wonderful angel who can look down and smile at Neal and Staci and Conner for all the wonderful things they will do on this earth that he tought them. We were all truely blessed to have to have known him. Steve will grealty be missed but his handprints and touch is on everything we do. Neal Staci and Conner, I love you all so much and you all are truely blessed to have such a wonderful father.
Love so much,
Shanna

Laura Sauer

June 5, 2009

I loved Steve's sense of Humor. I worked with Steve and meet him through workout in the gym. Steve, Liz Lieb, Doug Harned and I were always teasing each other about who worked out the most and who splashed water on themselves to look like they were actually sweating. He always had a smile to offer. God Bless.

Doug Harned

June 5, 2009

In a world of clones Steve was an original. He was a loyal friend and a great co-worker. I was constantly amazed at the mental and emotional strength that he displayed throughout his battle with cancer. I doubt that I would have been as strong. Staci and Neal, unfortunately you lost your father too soon. I hope you are comforted by the memories of a loving father.

Neal Merchant

June 4, 2009

Thank you, everyone! Your memories & thoughts have truely touched my heart. I am truely blessed with a great family that will go to any end of the earth for one another. My father was personally a role model not only as father of my 4 year old son, but as well as in life. He lived for Staci and I, now it's our turn to celebrate for him. Thank you everyone again.!

Staci Merchant

June 4, 2009

I really appreciate all the posts as they are very comforting to me that my dad touched so many people. He was a very caring person and generally up for any party. We will be celebrating his life this Saturday at 4pm just as he would wish. This is open to everyone at his childhood home. I truly appreciate all the posts!

He will be missed. I can't tell you how many pictures I have of him throwing me and Neal into the pool.

June 4, 2009

Dotty Gonzalez

June 4, 2009

I never met Steve but learned so much about him this past year from Staci. I cried when I found out he had passed, because I knew how hard he worked at trying to survive. He was a strong and determined man.
Staci and Neal made sure Steve was as comfortable as possible and gave him his hearts desire till the very end.
The love they all had for each other was very evident. I am sure Steve felt Blessed to have such wonderful kids.
Rest in peace Steve....
With heartfelt sympathy,

Naomi DeCapua-Stanley

June 4, 2009

Dear Family, Friends and most-recent Nationwide Co-Workers of Steve's,
When I started working at Nationwide in 1984, Steve was already in CIS on the 28th floor. We didn't work together very often, but he was always there, working deligently with his humor and good sense. He was a gentle man. He would always talk about his kids, who he loved very much. I admired him for that...his family came first. I left Nationwide in 1998, but I always remembered Steve, or "Teve" as one of his kids called him. I was saddened and prayed for him when I heard he was ill. I'm sure he's in heaven now but still will always be with his family and friends also. My condolences to all who knew and loved him.

June 4, 2009

To Steve's Family:
He had a unique way of looking at life that I truly enjoyed. He will be missed by all of us.
Nancy Knapp

Yvonne Stasheen

June 4, 2009

To Steve's family. Everyone who worked with Steve and knew him will miss him greatly. I worked with Steve for more years than either of us care to acknowledge. I loved his caring nature and talking to him about movies we had seen. He will be missed!

Deborah Albertson

June 4, 2009

My heartfelt condolences to all of Steve's family and friends. I know he will be sorely missed. God bless.

Kandie DeLaney

June 4, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out the entire Merchant family. Steve will be missed by many.

David Thompson

June 4, 2009

Steve, I will keep many memories of you from growing up together, through high school, and of course Key West. God speed to you my old friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your children and family.

Kay Lonas

June 4, 2009

Staci, Walter, Neal, Conner and family,

You're in my thoughts and prayers! It's such a blessing that you were able to embrace the most of each others time the past several years. Steve's presence has been missed. He was hard working, knowledgable and friendily. Cherish the memories you'll hold in your hearts.

God Bless you all!

Kevin Jenkins

June 4, 2009

Steve, you will be missed. I always appreciated your sense of humor and ability to "keep it real". My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Shirley Collins

June 4, 2009

I worked with Steve for almost 20 years and found out what a great caring guy he truly was. He was always thinking about others and he was very optimistic, even when he found out he had cancer. He had the will to live and want to trudge ahead but God had other plans for him. I have to say he gave it his all and stuck in there until the bitter end. What a trooper and truly strong person he was! He is dearly missed at work and has been since the day he was forced to retire because of his illness. He will always hold a special place in my heart, we had fond memories I will choose to never forget.

Patty Wedge-Ludwig

June 4, 2009

Staci, Neal and Conner,

All of you are the most precious gifts in your father's life and life on earth ended too early for him. I know that the last few months have been very difficult for you and him. But always remember the great times you had together and he will live inside of you forever. He will give you little signs that will make you laugh to assure you he is at peace.

Love,

Mom

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