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Nancy Kay Merillat, age 79, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on August 11, 2021, at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice. She was born March 29, 1942, in Bryan and was a lifelong resident and supporter of the city.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Marvin E. Merillat, whom she married on December 22, 1995. Her surviving siblings are Linda Rife of Grove City, Ohio, and Mike Smith of Rifle, Colorado. She is also survived by her children, Curt (Jackie) Winzeler of Springboro, Ohio, Melissa (Ken) Brock, of Stryker, Ohio, and Sarah Winzeler and her fiancé, Deron Eicher, of Bryan. Her stepchildren are Troy (Dawn) Merillat, of Montpelier, Ohio, and Alyson Merillat, of Montpelier. She has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Inez (Humbarger) Smith.
Nancy received her high school diploma from Bryan High School in 1960. She enjoyed music and played the clarinet in the marching band and took part in choir. She graduated with a teaching degree from Bowling Green State University. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Education from BGSU as well.
Nancy’s first position was teaching kindergarten with the Stryker Public School from 1967 to 1972. Nancy also taught with the Bryan City Schools for 25 years, specializing in Reading Recovery. During her lifetime, Nancy touched many young lives. The students called her Mrs. M&M. She was loved and respected by her students and colleagues. After retirement she and Marvin spent many winters in Vero Beach, Florida. For several seasons she was able to teach adults to read through the Literacy Services of Indian River County.
During her 26 year marriage to Marvin, they traveled extensively in the United States and around the globe. She had served as host family and ombudsmen with American Field Service (AFS), which encourages and arranges foreign exchange students. Throughout the years her family has hosted students from New Zealand, Norway, Yugoslavia, Germany, and Paraguay. She and Marv had the opportunity to visit several of them in their home countries.
She was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She sang in the choir, served as communion steward, and was part of the Serendipity Circle.
She loved to promote Bryan and its people. Over the years she was involved with Bryan Area Foundation, YWCA Board, Civic League, Friends of the Library, and Literary Forum.
Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and friend. Her greatest interest was people – both friends and strangers. She was an excellent cook and liked welcoming all into her home. Showing hospitality was a natural gift of her love. She enjoyed sports and being outside – especially tennis, biking, golf, hiking, and snow skiing. She and Marvin joined with VBT Biking Vacations to tour parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, France, Netherlands, Italy, and Germany.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 16, 2021, from 4:00-7:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. in Wesley United Methodist Church with Reverend Peter Paige officiating. The family will also receive visitors for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M., in the church. Private interment will take place in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial donations to Wesley United Methodist Church music program or CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice.00