Vesta E. Merrill

Vesta E. Merrill, 93, formerly of McPherson, KS passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River. She was a bus driver for the Windom and McPherson school districts for a total of 20 years.

She was born October 17, 1924, in Kiowa, KS, the daughter of John and Edith (Mitchell) Hilton. She attended Rock country school and graduated from high school in Byron, OK.

On April 1, 1942, Vesta married Ira F. Merrill in Cherokee, OK. He died March 12, 1990.

Vesta was a member of T.O.P.S. club (35 years), Sweet Adelines International (12 years), the Kitchenette Band (9 years), & the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed playing piano, singing, and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed her friends at Northgate Manor in McPherson.

Survivors include: five grandchildren, Barbra Sauer (Rob) of Lyons, KS, Shawn Merrill (Cherise) of Hutchinson, KS, Alexys Merrill of Wichita, KS, Jarod Merrill of Fort Benning, GA, and Ashlee Nigh (Greg) of McPherson, KS; 27 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: parents; husband; sons, Jerry and Terry Merrill; brother, Eldin, Leonard, Leo, & Ira Hilton; sisters, Gladys, Geneva, Zelma, Marvie, & Elsie; and granddaughter, Jalane M. Nelson.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. Rev. Dale Christiansen will officiate the service. Graveside service will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday at the Cherokee Municipal Cemetery in Cherokee, OK. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to Sandstone Heights Nursing Home or the American Cancer Society in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Vesta E. Merrill please visit our Sympathy Store.