Laurie E. Merchant, 60, passed away Saturday April 11, 2015 at 5:52 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Hospital (Vincennes, IN.)

She was born Feb. 10, 1955 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin the sixth of nine children to Lester and Josephine Kelbel Schneider. 

She received her bachelors of science in 1977 from the University of Wisconsin in physical therapy. She was a licensed physical therapist and certified wound specialist. 

After starting her career at the Good Samaritan Hospital she joined her brother Roger and worked her remaining career with R.A. Schneider & Associates Physical Therapists. She married Joe Merchant on Oct 14, 1978 and they made their life together for almost 37 years. Laurie was an avid outdoors person and she enjoyed fishing, turkey hunting and deer hunting. She greatly affected all who had the chance to encounter her. 

She is survived by her husband, Joe Merchant, Oakland City, their children, Lisa Pressler, and her husband Jason of Brownsburg, and Jason Merchant, and his wife Britney of Greenwood, the stars in her eyes were always her grandkids, Dylan, Emma Gracie and Lilly. She is also survived by her mother, Josephine Schneider of New Holstein, Wisconsin, five brothers, Roy Schneider of Calumetville, Wisconsin, Roger Schneider, and his wife Judi of Vincennes, Larry Schneider, and his wife Tammy of Colfax, Wisconsin, Ron Schneider, and his wife Sandie of Campbellsburg, Kentucky, Tom Schneider, and his wife Karen of Cleveland, Wisconsin and three sisters, Cathy Konen of Calumetville, Wisconsin, Barb Forstner, and her husband Dennis of New Holstein, Wisconsin and Bev Biederwolf, and her husband Bill of Howards Grove, Wisconsin.

The family would like to invite their family and friends to a gathering to celebrate her life that will be held April 25, 2015 in Vincennes, at the Knights of Columbus starting at 6 p.m.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home.