Service Details
Service: Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street
Visitation: at the church on Saturday from 9:30 – 10:00 am
Burial: Graceland Cemetery
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, memorials to John’s children, John Jr. “JJ” and Madison “Maddie”, have been suggested
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Miller's Flowers
Racine – John Michael Merrill, age 38, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
John was born in Kenosha on October 27, 1977 to John L. and Barbara Jo (nee: Kloet) Merrill.
He graduated from JI Case High School and St. Cloud State University. With a great passion for flying, John was an accomplished commercial pilot. Currently, he was employed as an inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 10:00 am in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 9:30 – 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to John’s children have been suggested.
God does not prepare you for sudden death, early death, preparing your children ….. God gives us strength. He gives us guidance. He gives us love in family and friends. Yesterday I lost the only man I have ever loved. The man who gave me his soul 21yrs ago. The man who gave me two beautiful, amazing children. He taught me to love the Bears even though they do and will probably always suck. He made me appreciate the simple things in life…joy, laughter, silence and love. Our children are a reflection of his love…. and I pray they remember him and all of his goodness. He has been an amazing husband, father, son, brother and friend. He will be missed more than any words I can speak. Please celebrate with us his journey in life and know he is watching over all of us. He is our angel in heaven. Love you. Susan
For those of you who don’t know yet, I lost my baby brother this Monday night. He was taken from us way too early. He is a person who loved. He loved his children, his wife, his parents, his sisters, brother-in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, dog and friends. He loved flying, rocking nasty mustaches, being goofy, watching the dumb Bears, the Brewers, NASCAR, air shows and always had the best Halloween costumes.
Please please please keep us all in your prayers. I love you so much Johnny Jumper. ❤
Stacey Klein (nee: Anderson) says
I had the honor of both flying with John at Skyway and working with him as a fellow Inspector at the MKE FSDO. I will miss his sense of humor most! He always had a laugh in him. May he rest in peace. I pray for the entire family!
The Lukas Family says
Though our hearts are broken, we are so blessed to possess countless and beautiful memories fostered by John.
“Many a forenoon have I stolen away, preferring to spend thus the most valued part of the day; for I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly.” -Henry David Thoreau
Our deepest and sincere condolences,
-The Lukas Family
Bambi Kehler says
It was a pleasure to work with John. I will miss swapping dog stories with him.
Terri Edmonston says
My heartfelt condolences go out to his entire family. To Maddie and JJ, I cannot imagine the pain you are enduring in loss of your dad. You will remain in my prayers, and just remember all the good times you had with him and the love he showed you.
The Holewinski family says
John will be deeply missed! Our sincerest sympathies to Susan, JJ, Maddie, and the rest of John’s family! May he live on forever in our hearts. We will continue to keep his family in our prayers.
Love always,
Chad, Michelle, Krysta, and Riley Holewinski
Dawn (Kern) Fonk says
My deepest condolences to you all! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Colleen Gorski (Romanowski) says
John you had the kindest soul even as a kid but also so funny. I always remember you always smiling. My thought and prayers are with his family and friends. May he wrap his wings around his loved one. Rest In Peace John.
Brian and Callie Ehmcke says
Our deepest sympathy goes out to John’s family. In this great time of sarrow, may good memories and the love of family and friends help mend the broken hearts of all that loved John. He will be missed
Barbara Pavlik Riegelman says
To the Merrill Family, et al;
We were so horribly saddened to hear of John’s passing. I remember his dad bringing the kids to our office along with his sisters. From a young age, I remember his love of flying, and when he went thru his flight ratings, the excitement of not only John, but his whole family. My husband encouraged him along every step of the way. He & Susan, along with the rest of their family, were regulars at our house on the 4th of July. We have very good memories & have had tears & smiles today. As we live about 6 hours North, and just found out about his passing & the funeral, we will not be able to attend. But, please know that Mark & I have heavy hearts for your loss, and you are all in our thoughts & prayers for the whole family. John, Jr., you can soar as high as the eagles & we pray you have found you peace.
Katrina Peasley (Povkovich) says
My most sincere condolences go out to John’s entire family. Many peaceful prayers, warm well wishes and positive vibes coming at all of you.
Dan Kiesl says
John taught me how to fly while he was an instructor at spring city. Also had the pleasure of working with him on the ramp at Midwest Airlines. John was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I know he will be severely missed.
Anonymous says
Susan,
We are thinking of you with very sad hearts. This loss is surely devastating for you and the children. We didn’t know John well, but whenever we spoke, he was smiling and so friendly. Sending hugs and love to you all.
Deke and Devon Schwaab
The Schwaabs says
Susan,
We are thinking of you with very sad hearts. This loss is surely devastating for you and the children. We didn’t know John well, but whenever we spoke, he was smiling and so friendly. Sending hugs and love to you all.
Deke and Devon
Barbara Pavlik Riegelmam says
We were horribly saddened by the untimely death of John. I had known of him & his passion for aviation since he as quite young. I remember his dad bringing the kids to our workplace. The whole Merrill family were constants at our home for the 4th of July parade. My husband loved talking with him about aviation & would offer words of encouragement & advise. Mark said he was a “damn good pilot”. When he switched aviation careers & began his work with the FAA, they maintained contact & was highly thought of my his colleagues. His smiling face, his love for family will forever be missed. Our thoughts & prayers to all of his family. We would have been there today, but we just got the news last night & living 6 hours away, couldn’t make it. Our hearts were there to say goodbye & to celebrate his life. John, may you find your peace & fly where only eagles dare fly.
Jennifer Schuman says
I love you always, little brother. I’m so very proud of you, and I promise to take care of mom and dad.
Your “big” sister, Jenny (Merrill) Schuman
Pete Damiano says
I am so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen you all in years but John was a great man. He will be missed, my prayers are with you and your family.
Aram Shakarian says
I’m so sorry for your loss. John will be missed, but remembered by you and us his family.
Smooth skies, and tail wide all the way home my friend. Until we meet again!
Michael H Monroe says
I was John’s Supervisor at the FAA until I retired on 30 September 2015. I shall always have many fond memories of John and I sincerely hope that his family and especially his children will never forget what a truly good person John was. I wish him fair winds and following seas.
Marvin frantz says
John was a kind,smart, joyful. Always a pleasure to be around. I worked with him at Skway and later when he was with the FAA. He brought decency and humanity to both positions. He always put others above himself, a true gentleman and professional. Shocked and saddened at his loss, I shall miss him greatly.
Laurie Olson & Jim Orosz says
My heart is broken from losing several loved ones this year, including my nephew-in-law, John M. Merrill. Such sadness for all of John’s family and friends, especially my niece, Susan, and their talented, funny, amazing children, JJ and Maddie. John was a loving, caring and generous man. He was dedicated to his BEARS, always ecstatic about aviation/flying, took advantage of what life had to offer him and his family, and most importantly, he loved his wife, parents, siblings, but even more, his children. John, may you be at peace now in Heaven under God’s wings to guide you, protect you, love you. We know you will be watching over your loved ones in your own special way, a guardian angel from up above. Love, Auntie Lulu (Wichita, KS)
His daughter says
I love my dad so much. I will forever miss him and cherish him within my life. He was always a loving father and was always there for me, my brother, and my mom. I will always remeber the fun times we had in the yard and the amazing times we cherished together. I will forever miss you dad. Love you forever.
Love your daughter,
Maddie