Doris Merrill

Doris M. Merrill, 100, of Des Moines passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 19 at Wesley Acres Health Center. Internment will be a family graveside service next spring.

Doris was born on May 23, 1922 in McCook, Nebraska to Rex and Margaret McCarty. The family eventually moved to Des Moines where she graduated from East High School in 1939. She was recognized earlier this year by the East High Alumni Association as the oldest living alumnus.

On December 11, 1941, she was married to Warren T. Merrill. They were married for 63 years before his passing in 2005. Doris and Warren had three children – David, Susan, and Barbara. Their children were their pride and joy – supporting and encouraging them in any endeavor they pursued.

Doris worked at a few jobs before she gave her life to Des Moines Public Schools. She served as secretary at various elementary and junior highs until she began her 25-year career as the Secretary to the Principal at East High School. That is where her legacy is forever. A few years ago, she was inducted into the East High Alumni Association Hall of Fame. Doris retired from East in 1987 and then went back to work part time for Des Moines Public Schools until 2007. She loved to work and especially enjoyed the people she worked with. Friendships Doris made continued for the rest of her life.

She had an active life up until the end of June this year. Doris enjoyed going to the theatre, concerts, casinos, taking road trips just for fun and to visit family. Her grandchildren meant so much to her and she tried as best she could to be a part of their lives.

Doris, Warren, and their children were members of Wesley United Methodist Church. Church family was important to her and she was very active in activities.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Warren), sister and brother-in-law (Dorothy and Robert Canon), nephew (Rex Canon), granddaughter (Elizabeth Wagner), and son-in-law (Donald Wagner). She is survived by her children – David (Piper) Merrill, Susan (Scott) Casber, and Barbara Wagner; sister-in-law Marguerite Jones, and many nieces/nephews/cousins. Continuing on her legacy are grandchildren – Chad (Lyndsey) Merrill, Andy (Erin) Merrill, Michael (Erica) Fong, Chole (Kera) Casber, and Adam Haselhuhn, plus six great-grandchildren.

Thank you to the nurses/aides/staff at John Stoddard Heath Center at Wesley Acres. They showed Doris such great care, concern, and love for the last six months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial gifts be made to the John Stoddard Cancer Center. Checks can be mailed to the UnityPoint Health Des Moines Foundation at 1415 Woodland Ave., Suite E-200, Des Moines, IA 50309 or go online at https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/stoddard-giving.aspx.

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