Funeral services for Sam Merritt age 57 of Wisner, NE will be on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Bancroft with Pastor Mike Belinsky officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Zion Lutheran School. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner and will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Sam passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026 at his home surrounded by family.
Samuel Alvin Merritt was born on February 14, 1969 in Lorain, OH to George and Florence (Simek) Merritt. He grew up in Lorain, OH attended Larkmoore Elementary, Longfellow Middle School and Lorain High School. At the age of 18, he began driving truck over the road something that he loved to do.
In 1988, he and Michelle Pruchnicki, started a life together raising a family. They eventually were married on October 3, 1994 in Neligh, NE. Sam continued to drive truck, for 14 years he drove for Brahmer Trucking in Wisner before later driving for Village Transport, hauling band equipment while they were on tour. Sam often referred to these trips as his “vacations’, as he was gone for six weeks at a time. He especially loved listening to the song Vacation because of the lyrics, “I’m on vacation because I love my occupation,’ which perfectly reflected hoe much he enjoyed his work.
Sam, Michelle and the family were baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Bancroft.
Sam loved spending time with his family. Cookouts with too much food were a must. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, listening to music, playing nightly games of Spades with his wife, spoiling his grandchildren (which led to his online shopping habit), going to the casino, attending races, cheering on his grandchildren at their activities, and most importantly his dog, Winnie.
Sam is survived by his wife, Michelle Merritt
Brittany and Derick Buck and children-Broderick, Hudson, Kyler, and Taysom
Nicole and Dylan Donner and children-Ryley, Kinzley, and Hazeley
Joseph Merritt and Tyler and son-JaKobe
Sara Merritt and Dean and a daughter on the way and only Sam knows the name
Samuel Merritt, Jr and children-Samariae, Samuel III, Savion, Symone, Sa’Niyah and Sebastian
Chelsea and Nathan Smith and children-Caleb and Noah
Mother-Florence Merritt
Siblings- Tammy and Kelly Smith, Pamela Merritt, Kimberly Millard, Vicky Merritt, and Obbie Herter
Sisters-in-laws-Tina and Dave Vanderhoof, Trish and Mike Wargo, Kim and Bill Beaumont, Denise Ellis, and Lajean Powell
He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his father-George Merritt, father-in-law-Robert Pruchnicki, mother-in-law-Norma Foley, brothers-George and Fred Powell, sister-Betty Loera, brothers-in-law-Barry Herter and Willie Ellis, nephew-Bryce Killion, and a niece-Paisley Martin.