Jimmie J. Merz

Jimmie J. Merz, 79, Liberal KS, died Thursday April 26, 2012 at Liberal Good Samaritan Center, Liberal, KS. She was born October 2, 1932 in Oklahoma City, OK, the daughter of Eugene C. and Minnie V (Baxter) LaFon. Jimmie graduated Deerfield High School in 1951.
On October 7, 1949, she married Melvin M. Merz at Deerfield, KS. She studied accounting at Garden City Community College in pursuit of a career as a bookkeeper. Her bookkeeping career included working for Hart and Company, Lakin, KS; City of Deerfield, and Richard Landon Construction also of Deerfield; Reneau Jewelry Store, Kay’s Jewelry Store, Mid America Diesel Service and Southwest Kansas Technical School all of Liberal KS. She retired from SWKTS in 1999 with 21 years of service.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hooker OK; Pancake Campers Club, and volunteered for the SWMC Auxiliary for many years accumulating 4598 hours. Following the death of her youngest son, she also volunteered her services to Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society acting as the Survivors Chairperson.

She is survived by one son, Steven Merz of Liberal; twin daughters Janet Freeman and husband Alan of Liberal and Judy Armstrong and husband Steve of Fort Worth, TX. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Misty Cowley of Norman, OK, Michael Armstrong of Keller, TX, Tiffany Merz of Elgin, TX, Preston Freeman and Heather Freeman both of Manhattan, KS and PV2 Stasha Merz of Fort Hood, TX. She is also survived by 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Melvin, son Keith, brother Ralph Anderson and daughter-in law Teresa Merz.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:30 A.M. at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal, KS with Pastors Tom House and Andrew Wehling presiding. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon at Deerfield Cemetery, Deerfield, KS. Friends may call at Miller Mortuary Sunday from 1 pm to 8 pm and Monday from 9 am to 8 pm with family receiving friends 6:30-8:00 pm Sunday evening.
The family suggests that memorials be sent to Relay for Life or St. John’s Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.