Mary Ellen Merritt
Obituary
Mary Ellen Merritt took her place in
Heaven on Feb. 19, 2019, after losing her battle with pancreatic
cancer. Mary Ellen was born on Nov. 22, 1944, in Emporia, to Max M.
and Leona Ellen Daily Mayhill.
While attending Newton High School,
Mary Ellen met the love of her life and true soul mate, Michael G.
Merritt. After their high school graduations, Mike and Mary Ellen
were married, and they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage
this year.
Mary Ellen worked at First Federal
Savings and Loan for many years, eventually leaving her banking
career to help provide care for her mother during a long illness.
After her mother passed away, Mary Ellen began a career in real
estate, where she quickly become a trusted and valued realtor, as
well as friend to many.
Although Mary Ellen valued and excelled
in her careers, she was most proud of and dedicated to her roles as a
wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a fabulous
cook and seamstress, and made beautiful Christmas cookie trays that
she delivered to her friends, family and business associates every
holiday. Mary Ellen was also able to share her multiple talents in
cooking and sewing as her children's 4-H leader, scout leader and
room mother. She was also a passionate reader and enjoyed sharing her
love of books with her children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. Visitors would find her in a rocking chair
reading a special story to one of her grandchildren, who she often
called her "sunshine."
Mike and Mary Ellen loved to travel and
their children were fortunate to be able to visit all 50 states
during their childhood. Mike and Mary Ellen also shared their love of
travel with their grandchildren, taking them to some of their most
special places, as well as sharing their love of Disney and the
ocean. When Mike and Mary Ellen weren't traveling, visitors would
often find them mowing their beautiful lawn, working in gardens or
splashing in their backyard pool. Many wonderful memories were made
in their backyard.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband,
Mike; daughter, Kim Stevenson; sons, Michael (Christine), Jason
(Debbie) and Jerod (Jody) Merritt; her beloved grandchildren and
great-grandchildren; sister, Kathryn (Danny) Benbrook; two brothers;
numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts; and a special friend
from her childhood, Mary Erwin.
Her passing will forever leave a hole
in our lives and hearts and we will forever miss her, but we are
happy she has taken her place with the Lord and that she is now
tending God's garden and dancing with Jesus. We sure hope Jesus knows
how to do the twist and the stroll. The family finds comfort in
knowing our memories will carry us through and that someday we will
see her again.
Private family services will be held at
a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests
memorials to Good Shepherd Hospice, Newton.
