February 15, 1951 – July 10, 2026

Gerald Steven Merritt, known affectionately as “Steve,” “Tinman,” or “Peepaw,” passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, at the age of 75. A resident of Frenchtown in St. Charles, Missouri, Steve was a proud, retired “tinner” from the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 36 who spent his life working with his hands, giving back to his community, and deeply loving his family.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 15, 1951, to Donald Merritt Sr. and Charlotte Merritt (Robinson), Steve grew up to be a man of incredible strength, resilience, and passion. He spent 35 dedicated years with the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 36, traveling throughout the Midwest. He was an exceptional craftsman, carpenter, and a patient mentor to anyone eager to learn the trade.

His faith and spirit of service were central to his life. In the mid-to-late 1970s, Steve and his first wife, Janis Poe (with whom he shared 27 years of marriage and five children), served as missionaries for over five years in Chicago, Illinois, and on the island of St. Lucia—experiences that shaped his worldview forever. In 1997, he married Karen McCarthy, with whom he remained until they separated in 2017.

Steve was a passionate outdoorsman who found peace on the water and the trails. He frequently biked the Katy Trail and loved kayaking the Missouri River. One of his proudest achievements was completing the grueling MR-340 kayaking race, paddling 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles over four days. His love for the river turned into advocacy; for nearly a decade, he volunteered monthly with the Greenway Network to protect the integrity and conservation of the Missouri River.

Locally, Steve was a fixture in the Frenchtown community. From helping restore neighborhood restaurants to working on the North Second Street mural, he was always finding creative ways to give back. He also opened the RedBird RestStop, a local free community space created as a tribute to his late son, Doug, which helped pave the way for future coffee shops in the area. His craftsmanship and heart also came together in 2018 when he constructed a beautiful Memorial Wall for the National Kidney Foundation in honor of Doug, a wall that continues to be used at regional NKF walks to honor those lost to kidney disease.

Steve was an avid collector of interesting things, a dedicated youth baseball coach for his son Josiah’s teams, and a man who never met a stranger. Above all, his greatest pride was his family. He worked tirelessly to care for them, champion their dreams, and boast about them to anyone who would listen. He truly lived by his own words: “I am not a lucky man, I am a Blessed man.”

Steve is survived by his brother, Robert “Uncle Bob” Merritt; his step-sister, Stacey Wright; his children, Israel (Anthea) Merritt, Hannah (David) Piel, Josiah (Nicole) Merritt, and Erika (Tim) Armstrong; 17 grandchildren: Haili, Dorian, Taryn, Gaige (Kristen), Brett, Tylor, Grant, Cooper, Ella, Kyra, Finley, Taegan, Beau, Gwen, Brooklynn, Paisley, and Freya; and 4 great-grandchildren: Kaison, Lydia, Jackson, and Lucas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Merritt Sr. and Sandra Merritt, and Charlotte and Garon Crafton; his brother, Donald Merritt Jr.; and his beloved son, Douglass “Doug” Merritt.

We love you so much. See you soon, Dad.

Service Information

Visitation

• Date: Monday, July 27, 2026

• Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location: Grace Community Chapel | 7661 Mexico Rd, St. Peters, MO 63376

Funeral Service

• Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Location: Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel | 5200 Lucas-Hunt Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121

Burial

• Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (Following the service at 11:00 AM)

• Location: Memorial Park Cemetery | 5200 Lucas-Hunt Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Kidney Foundation on behalf of Gerald Steven Merritt via the family’s tribute page: National Kidney Foundation Tribute – Erika Armstrong

The family of Gerald Steven Merritt wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and all the acts of love and kindness shown to us during this time. Your thoughtfulness and concern will be forever cherished.