CYNTHIA ANN "CINDY" MILLER MERKA, 43,
passed away on March 30, 2020 after a 26-month
battle with Metastatic Melanoma, with interment
at the Siloah Cemetery in McDade.
Cindy was born on May 11, 1976 in Ranger, TX to
Truman Miller (RHS-1968) & Janie Miller. She
attended Ranger High School in the Class of 1994.
She graduated from Cisco Junior. College, obtaining
her Cosmetology License & 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 sons: Grant & Blake. Cindy's love of children,
cheerleading, 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 he career as a
teach at Neidig Elementary and later at B.T.W
Elementary. While at B.T.W. her passion to
empower others, led to purse 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 &
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 & Margaret Graham, Winifred & Dorothy Miller
(RHS-1948) 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 & Janie
Miller, sister Melinda Miller Griffin (RHS-1989)
(Biff), brother Tony Miller (RHS-1991, Stella)
sister-in-law Tami Bond (Duane), brother-in-law
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 nieces and
nephews Andi and Creed Corder.
HUSBAND: ERIC MERKA, 46, loving husband,
father, grandfather, brother, uncle & friend to
all, passed away on June 27, 2022 in Elgin, TX,
with burial in Siloah Cemetery at McDade.
Eric was born on Nov. 14, 1975 in Austin, TX to
Shirley McKamie & William “Willie” Merka. He
graduated from Elgin High School in 1995 and
went on to play football at Cisco Junior College
where he met the love of his life, Cynthia. Eric
& Cynthia married on July 20, 1996. They then
welcomed the lights of Eric’s life – his two sons,
Grant and Blake. From the moment they were born
Eric was their biggest supporter and the proudest
of fathers. He loved coaching their little league
teams and following them through their athletic
careers. He was their number one fan, and they
were the center of his world. In April of 2022
Grant and his wife, Allison, welcomed their first
son, and Eric became a Pops to Calvin Bogue Merka.
Eric adored his grandson and looked forward to his
daily Calvin photos that Allison would send him.
His family was his top priority, & he would travel,
no matter the distance, to attend important moments
& events in his family’s lives.
Everyone that knew Eric knew him for his larger-
than-life personality, his big bear hugs, and his
incredible ability to make anyone & everyone laugh.
He was the quintessential small-town boy with a
love for Elgin and his community. He was a beloved
voice of Elgin Friday Night Lights in the fall and
was so passionate about Wildcat Football.
Eric is preceded in death by his beautiful wife,
Cynthia, father, Willie Merka, and grandparents,
Calvin & Stella Grant.
Eric is survived by his sons, Grant Merka and wife,
Allison, and Blake Merka; grandson, Calvin Merka;
parents, Shirley & John McKamie; brother, Steve
Merka and wife, Carol; sister, Tami Bond & husband,
Duane; mother and father-in-law, Truman and Janie
Miller; brother-in-law, Tony Miller and wife, Stella;
sister-in-law, Melinda Griffin and husband, Biff;
and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews,
and other family members.