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Derrell Merrill, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away on Saturday, Sepember 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born June 8, 1958 in Lexington, KY a son to the late Arthur B. and Reva (Ritchie) Merrill.
Derrell has been a resident of Sturgis since 1983 moving here from Toledo.
On June 16, 1979 in Toledo, he married Brenda L. Gomez and they renewed their vows on Dec. 24, 1983.
Derrell was a veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the rank of PV2.
He had been employed at Grumman Olson in Sturgis for 9 years before he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a spinal injury. He later worked for Green Valley Golf Course in ground maintenance, was a landlord of properties, and volunteered much of his time with the Rocket Football now Sturgis Youth Football Program in Sturgis where he was a coach for over 15 years and was also the Program Director for many years and very active with their fund raising efforts.
Derrell was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Sturgis Eagles Lodge.
He enjoyed golfing, playing poker, spending time at their Florida home, and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.
Surviving are his wife: Brenda; Children: Tiffany (Tony) Neal of Sturgis, Jessica Miranda of Toledo, Derrell J. “DJ” Merrill Jr., Sean (Ally) Merrill, and Chris (Mindy) Merrill all of Sturgis; 18 grandchildren: Marcus, Anthony, Kaitlyn, Julius, Jose, Josefina, Jocelyn, Riley, Ellison, Vaughn, Slayde, Bodhe, Charleigh, Beckett, Briggs, Ava, Preslee, and Leighton; 1 great-granddaughter: Alanna, 2 sisters: Norma (Tim) Sexton and Lori (Tony) Montes; 2 brothers: Lonnie (Pat) Merrill and Chet (Joni) Merrill, mother-in-law: Dora McVey, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law: Cruz Gomez.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.
Services celebrating the life of Derrell Merrill will be held at 1:00 on Friday at the funeral home. Interment and graveside services will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Reception to follow from 3:00 to 6:00 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1207 W Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Sturgis Youth Football Program or to the family. Envelopes are available at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes who have been entrusted with the arrangements.
