Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Merka
Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Miller Merka, age 43, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Christopher House in Austin after a 26-month battle with Metastatic Melanoma.
Cindy was born May 11, 1976 in Ranger, Texas, to Truman and Janie Miller. She graduated from Cisco Junior College, obtaining her Cosmetology License and studying Child Psychology. While attending Cisco she met the love of her life, Eric Merka, they moved to Eric’s hometown of Elgin, married and were blessed with the births of 2 son’s: Grant and Blake. Cindy’s love of children, cheerleading, and gymnastics inspired her to open “Texas Tumblers and Cheer Express”. Where she taught cheer and tumbling and touched the lives of many. She decided to continue her education and went back to college obtaining her BA from Texas State University and began her career as a teacher at Neidig Elementary and later at B.T.W Elementary. While at B.T.W. her passion to empower others, led her to pursue her master’s degree from Lamar University and become a Counselor at B.T.W where she touched the lives of so many Elgin students.
When she wasn’t mentoring her hobbies included: horse back riding, fishing, photography, arts and crafts, but most of all youth sports, especially following “her boys” in any activity they were ever involved in.
Cindy’s had a bright and energetic personality and touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life. She was loved and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Margaret Graham, Winifred and Dorothy Miller and Stella Grant.
Cindy is survived by her loving husband Eric Merka, the lights of her life son’s Grant Merka (fiancé Alli Lohn) and Blake Merka. Parents Truman and Janie Miller, sister Melinda Griffin (Biff), brother Tony Miller (Stella) sister-in-law Tami Bond (Duane), brother-inlaw Steve Merka (Carol), mother and father-in-law John and Shirley McKamie. She is also survived by nieces; Shelby Corder (Cody) Julie Griffin, Cassidy Griffin, Nicol Miller, Jordan Merka, Madison Bond. Nephews; Tyler, Thomas and Tandy Miller, Clint and Cade Merka, Tyler Barchenger, Jaxen and Parker Bond. Her great niece and nephew Andi and Creed Corder. A viewing was held 12:00
A viewing was held 12:00 – 6:00 PM Friday, April 3, 2020, Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Cindy’s Life and interment in the Siloah Cemetery, McDade, will be private.