Cindy (Allen) Merrill

Cindy (Allen) Hotze Merrill

66 of Carmel, died on July 14, 2022 due to chronic illness.  Cindy was born on July 9, 1956 in Topeka, KS to Bob and Ann (VanHorn) Allen.  She graduated from Western Hills High School in Ft. Worth, TX as a member of the National Honor Society.  In her teenage years, she loved riding and showing horses.  Cindy received her nursing degree from Tarrant County College and practiced nursing for 32 years, a career she loved.

In 1985, she became a mother to her only child, Christopher.  Motherhood brought more happiness and love than she even thought possible.  Cindy was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, enjoyed NASCAR races and Notre Dame Football.  She loved “old Rock & Roll” music – especially Fleetwood Mac, .38 Special and the Eagles.

From 2003 – May 2020, she shared her life and love with Mark Schmutzler, who was always there to return her love and provide care for her after a car accident in January 2019.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bill Allen; uncle, Ken VanHorn; and the love of her life, Mark Schmutzler.

She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Chris (Rebekkah) Hotze and Lillian Grace; a very special niece, Ana Shaw and her two children, Weston and Avery; and her cousin, Elizabeth (Randy) Fall.

Cindy always appreciated how Mark’s son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Brian (Alicia) Schmutzler and their sons, Robby and Cole treated her like family and she often referred to them as “her angels”.

Cindy would like to thank Laura and Byron Harris, Tamika Thompson, Terri Schmutzler, the Haas family, and Sharon Feuer for their care and support as well as St. Vincent Hospice.

There will be no service or memorial.  Life is the celebration and dying is inevitable.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any organization that supports not smoking.  “Failure is simply something that hasn’t been tried.”