Nancy Ann Merchant, 81, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Rosa White and was raised in Mooresville. Nancy attended Maxwell High School, where she met the love of her life, Kenneth “Kenny” Merchant, with whom she shared 64 devoted years of marriage.

Nancy’s life was one of dedication to family, education, and service. In her early years, she worked as a school bus driver, allowing her to assist her stepfather with farming while also being present for her children. Demonstrating determination and a love of learning, she later completed her GED and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education from IUPUI, majoring in history.

She went on to become a beloved educator with the Mt. Vernon High School Corporation, where she taught photography, journalism, yearbook, and English. Nancy had a deep love for her students and found great joy in teaching, leaving a lasting impact on many young lives.

Outside the classroom, Nancy lived a full and passionate life. She was a 4-H Horse and Pony leader who cherished working with horses. She was an avid gardener and found joy in tending to her plants and sharing quiet moments reading to her great-grandchildren. Nancy also dedicated her time as a volunteer working with Civil War cemetery groups, helping to restore and preserve gravestones and honor history.

Nancy and Kenny shared a love of travel and adventure, often taking long road trips together to the western states, where they enjoyed the beauty of nature and time together. Nancy will be remembered for her kindness, strength, love of family, and passion for education and history. Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched.

Nancy is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Lisa Corbit; her son, Kelly Merchant; her sister, Linda Deskins Faubion; and her sisters-in-law, Doris Hammond, Betty Floyd, and Arlene Merchant. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Matthew Merchant, Stacy Corbit-Clarkson, Alicia Merchant-Himes, and Shawn Merchant; as well as her treasured great-grandchildren, Stella, Emma, and Ruby Merchant; Quinn, Larkin, Griffin, and Ashton Corbit-Clarkson; and Aria, Luna, and Stiles Merchant-Himes, along with many cousins and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth Merchant; her son, Eric Merchant; her mother, Rosa White; and her stepfather, Willis White.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Hendryx Cumberland Chapel, 11636 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229. Private family entombment will follow at Washington Park Cemetery, Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.