Samuel Merkel
Edwardsville |
Samuel Alan Merkel, age 20, passed away with his family by his side at St. Louis Children’s Hospital on December 29, 2015 after a 2 ½ year battle with Osteosarcoma.
Sam was born on January 31, 1995, in Alton, Illinois the son of Bob and Dawn (Selvog) Merkel of Edwardsville, IL. He will be missed by one sister, Holly Merkel (Sam Slavik) of Affton, MO; Maternal grandparents, Norman and Linda Selvog of D’Iberville, MS; Paternal grandparents, Marian (and the late “Turk”) Merkel of Edwardsville, IL; Special Aunts and Uncles, Mark and Dawn Selvog of Brighton, IL, Linda Trecker (Dan Hotop) of Ballwin, MO, and Connie and Rick Johnson of Springfield, MO; cousins, Cameron Trecker (Jackie Hurt) and Kristen Trecker, Austin Selvog and Devin Bettorf (Allison Duncan), Ashley and Cory Johnson, and many other close family and friends.
Sam was a member of Eden United Church of Christ, where he was active in the Youth Ministry. He graduated from Edwardsville High School in 2013, and was attending Lewis and Clark Community College where he was studying Computer Sciences. Sam’s love of movies led him to obtain a part-time position working at AMC Theaters in Edwardsville. Throughout his childhood, Sam was involved in Boy Scout Troop 30, where he eventually earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In May 2015, he was awarded the Vigil Honor in Council 114 in the Order of the Arrow.
Sam enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his passion was playing airsoft. He was well-known at local airsoft fields, including Bing Field and Wildcat, as well as participating in St. Louis with teams and events.
Sam was an active participant with Painting the Town Gold and valued the importance of spreading the awareness about childhood cancer to others. Sam also participated in Pedal the Cause St. Louis for three years raising money for cancer research in the St. Louis area.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at Eden United Church of Christ in Edwardsville, IL on Saturday, January 2 with visitation from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, and funeral beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.
A private family burial will be held at a later date at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com. Weber & Rodney Funeral Home is charge of arrangements.
Sam was very fortunate to be blessed by so many caring organizations throughout his illness. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, for donations to be made to any of the following organizations: Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, C.J.’s Journey, Edwardsville Neighbors in Need, or Eden United Church of Christ Youth Group.
Weber & Rodney Funeral Home
