Rebecca Merrill, 34, of Bethalto, Illinois, died on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Saint Louis Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness.Rebecca was the daughter of Gerald and Rhonda Ritchie and was born on February 16, 1983, in West Plains, Missouri.She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Ritchie and a brother, Michael Woodruff.Rebecca is survived by her fiancé, Garett Braun of Bethalto, IL, and his children, Grace and Carter; her mother and step father, Rhonda Ritchie-Warren and James Warren of Dorsey, IL; three brothers, Mark Woodruff and wife, Lisa of Brentwood, TN, Chance Ritchie of Granite City, IL, Levi Ritchie and wife Candice of Moline, IL; a sister, Ailie Ritchie and fiancé, Willie Finazzo of Granite City, IL; and a step brother, Chris Warren and his wife, Katie of Troy, IL. Rebecca also had 3 nieces, Skye, Adrienne, and Campbell, and seven nephews, Quentin, Walter, Michael, James, Grayden, Grayell, and Burke.Rebecca was a former health care worker who graduated high school in Spokane, Missouri and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the University of Missouri St. Louis.Rebecca loved her family and friends. She enjoyed life with a passion and was always quick to crack a joke. Her nieces and nephews were a special part of her life. Rebecca enjoyed sports, fishing, the outdoors, bonfires, boating, music, the arts and swimming.Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto with Pastor Derek Yarber officiating.Memorials may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Bethalto or NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness).Cremation rites have been accorded.Online condolences can be given at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.