Diane Merlo

Diane Marie Merlo, age 64, of Holland, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, after a long struggle with illness. She was born on February 08, 1959, in Holland, Michigan, to George & Mary (Oglesbee) Smit. She worked as a physical therapist for Holland and Allegan hospitals and as an EMT/firefighter for Overisel Township Fire Department. Diane was able to help so many people through these careers, and she was known to help more than just people as well. I remember many turtles coming home with her temporarily after being rescued from the road before she would later return them to a nearby river or pond. She loved traveling and spending time with her family and pets. She will be deeply missed. Diane was married to (Harold) Joseph Merlo and later to Don Fischer. She is survived by her children, Angelina (Merlo) Boyles-Jager (Jason Jager), Logan Fischer (Sarah Jursik), and Eddie Fischer, grandchildren Deegan, Ashton, and Emma Boyles, Baylee, Eli, Carter, and Mckenna Jager, siblings Steve Smit, Michele (Smit) Reynolds, and Pam (Smit) Keith, plus nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph Merlo, brother-in-law Harry and nephew Matthew Keith. Cremation has taken place, and an open house memorial service will be held at Third Coast Community Church on August 5th from 1 pm to 6 pm. Feel free to dress casually. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Diane Merlo, please visit our flower store.