Doris Marie (Smith) Mergen

Doris Marie (Smith) Mergen, 72, of Sedalia, MO, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family, after a fifteen-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on October 4, 1950, in Fulton, MO the daughter of Sam Dolan Watson and Nellie Fern (Vaughan) Watson, who preceded her in death.

On August 1, 1970, in Sedalia, MO, she was united in marriage to William Joseph Mergen, who resides in Green Ridge, MO.

Doris graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, MO in 1968 and upon graduation started work at Southwestern Bell as an operator in Sedalia. She commuted to downtown Kansas City for 15 of her 41 years of service and retired in 2009 as a Communications Technician. She was a Pettis County Supervisor Poll Worker for over 20 years. Doris was a dedicated AT&T Pioneer. She was the president of the Mid-MO Club for many years and her latest position was Member-at-Large on the Lewis & Clark Council of the MO Chapter. Doris was the project chair for the Pioneer Senior Center at the MO State Fair for many years and was instrumental in getting sponsorship and volunteers to staff the center all 10 days of the fair. Even this past August, while she was battling cancer, she worked at the fair every day. She served as a board member and the coordinator of the Meals on Wheels program in Sedalia for many years. She was an avid reader, Chiefs fan and loved to attend her grandchildren’s athletic events. In her later years, she enjoyed lunches with her sisters and cousins and swimming on the weekends at Sue’s pool. Doris devoted herself to many jobs over the years but none with more care than raising her family.

Doris is survived by her three girls, Julie Cannon (Jason) of Green Ridge, Kim Toops (Robby) of Sedalia, and Amanda Jack (Daniel) of Green Ridge; six grandchildren, Britten Mergen (Mattie), Benjamin Barnes, Madison Barnes, Megan Toops, Sydney Toops, Emery Cannon; two sisters, Janice Sue Engles (Robert) and Barbara Hageman (Steve); two brothers, Bruce Humphrey (Brenda) and David Watson all of Sedalia; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Watson.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by a brother, Sammy Lee Watson.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Rea Funeral Chapel with Randy and Dianna Marcum officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sedalia Meals on Wheels in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.