Michael A. Merbach, 56, of Apopka, passed away in his home on March 8th, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 27 years and two children. Son of Paul and Marilyn Merbach (Bates), Michael was born April 29th, 1967, in Buffalo, NY.
He was a graduate of Pennsylvania State University (1989). He married the love of his life, Lori Merbach (Fleege) in 1996, and together they raised two wonderful children, Nicholas and Ashton. Watching them graduate from college and demonstrate the lessons of compassion, hard work and respect in their daily lives has made him so proud. While Michael lived in Florida, those who knew him were aware of his love for his alma mater and the sports teams that hailed from Pennsylvania.
His college experience netted not only lifelong friendships but helped to uncover the direction his life would take. He was blessed with an unquenchable love for the promise of life, the excitement for the potential of everyday, and the zeal for watching Big Ten and NFL football every fall. It is these characteristics, these memories, that will live on in the hearts of everyone who was fortunate enough to meet him.
There is no better testament to a life well lived. Every Penn State fight song, every rhinoceros sighting, every cast of a fishing pole, every ring of jingle bells around Christmas, and every bright ray of sunshine that means a smooth day on the water will forever remind of us of everything Michael loved and cherished.
Michael is survived by his wife, Lori, children, Nicholas “Cole” Merbach and Ashton Merbach. His mother, Marilyn Merbach (Bates) and siblings, Anita (Kevin) Merbach Fosburg and Kyle Merbach. Many in-laws, Mike (Sue) Fleege, Terry (Ann) Fleege, Cathy (Denny) Mohr, Jane (Steve) Miller and Tim Fleege. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul C. Merbach, his in-laws, Richard and Betty (Steines) Fleege, and his sister-in-law, Tina Fleege. His paternal grandparents, Chris and Viola Merbach and his maternal grandparents, Owen and Florence Bates.