Thomas John Nathan "T.J." Merz

DECATUR - Thomas John Nathan "T.J." Merz, 14, of Bloomington, died Saturday 3-6-10 at his home. His funeral will be at 10 am Thursday (3-11-10) at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with Rev. Vaughn Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Wednesday (3-10-10) at the funeral home. T.J. was born August 29, 1995 in Bloomington, the son of Thomas B. Merz and Jane E. Underwood He is survived by his mother, Jane (Don) Underwood; his father, Tom (Denise Schaefer) Merz; two sisters, Laurel Merz and Kristi Merz, all of Bloomington; his grandparents, Darrel and Norma Kline, Bloomington, Kent and Sharon Flora, Champaign, Neal and Nikki Underwood, Georgetown, TX and Dave and Nancy Merz, Urbana; two great-grandmothers, Juanita Underwood and Odell Bray, both of Fairmount, IL. Also surviving are eight aunts and uncles, Nancy (Jim) Mitchell, Suwanee, GA, Darrel (Maggie) Kline, II, St. Louis, MO, Deborah (Mark Behrens) Kline, Greenwood Village, CO, Brent (Steve Papka) Flora, Champaign, Chris (Sonya) Underwood, Leander, TX, Debra Merz, Urbana, Bill Merz (Linda Franklin), Urbana and Susan (Rick) Dermer, Edmund, OK; fifteen cousins, Amy and Sarah Mitchell, Suwanee, GA, Jamie (Ryan) Noirfalise, Hazelwood, MO, Lindy and Jaclyn Kline, St. Louis, MO, Everett and Whitaker Behrens, Greenwood Village, CO, Michael and Andrew Underwood, Leander, TX, Carrie, Kate, Emily Merz, Urbana, Sarah (Derek) Deitrich, Urbana, and Stephanie and Catherine Dermer, Stillwater, OK; and his lifelong best friend, Max Papineau, Normal. T.J. was an eighth grader at Bloomington Junior High School and was a percussionist in the band. He recently became interested in drama and had the role of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the BJHS version of the play "Annie." His passion was video games and he played them at any opportunity. T.J. was a very affectionate child and was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He will be missed by all those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the T.J. Merz Memorial Fund, c/o any Busey Bank, to be used to support the District 87 music and drama programs. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp