Derek Joseph Merrell, 21, of Lafayette, died at 2 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Dayton. He was born February 23, 1991, in Lafayette to Laurence N. Merrell and Kristine M. Gardiner Derek attended Lafayette Jefferson High School. Derek enjoyed playing basketball, video gaming, texting his friends, music and being with his family. Surviving are his father, Laurence Neal Merrell, of Dayton, and mother, Kristine Michelle Gardiner,Brother dustin Merrell of Dayton Sister Marissa Gardner of Lafayette. Grandparents, Tom and Donna Gardner, Bill and Mel Gardiner and Robert and Patsy Merrell, all of Lafayette; aunts and uncles Joyce and Mike Schimmel, Jessica Deetz, Angie Schimmel, Kelly and Paul Spitznagle, Amber Mitchell and Ashlyn Hughes, all of Lafayette; aunts Sherri DesEnfants, Michelle Harner and Nicole Sanders, all of Lafayette; Uncle Jeff Gardiner, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Aunt Kathy Brinlee, of Oregon.Cousins Amanda,Alicia,and Andrew DesEnfants, Alex & Breana Wethington, Ryan Harner, Dakota Brinlee, & Todd, Emily, & Haley Sanders. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, February 18, 2013, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel; Pastor Eric Schneider officiating. Burial will follow at IOOF Memorial Gardens in Delphi.