Charlotte Edith Merritt, 83, of Russell, Kansas and longtime resident of Towanda, Kansas, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Wheatland Nursing Home in Russell, Kansas.
Charlotte was born on February 14, 1939, in Cherryvale, Kansas, the daughter of Ola David and Edith C. (Barker) Mishler. She was one of 12 children who were raised on the family farm in Cherryvale. She graduated from Cherryvale High School in the class of 1957, and attended some college after high school. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Gary Joe Merritt on November 29, 1970, at the First Baptist Church in Cherryvale, Kansas. From this union Charlotte and Gary were blessed with a daughter Angela. Gary went to work for the Kansas Department of Transportation and they made their home in Towanda, Kansas. In 1980, Charlotte went to work for the First Baptist Church Daycare in El Dorado, Kansas, working her way up to daycare supervisor before retiring in 2009. In 2006, their daughter Angie and husband Darren Peeler moved to Russell, Kansas, to purchase Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Charlotte wanted to be close to her daughter and grandchildren so she and Gary moved to Russell, Kansas. This move gave her great joy, because it allowed her to see and take care of her grandchildren on a daily basis.
She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in El Dorado. She was a master seamstress, often making Angie’s clothes, dresses and formal gowns for her high school prom and winter dances. In addition to sewing, she loved crocheting, knitting, gardening and working in the yard and attending her very large family reunions in Cherryvale. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and loved babysitting her 3 grandchildren.
Surviving family include her husband Gary of the home in Russell, daughter Angie R. Peeler and husband Darren of Russell; grandson Dylan Peeler of Wichita, Kansas, granddaughters Megan Peeler and Charlee Peeler both of Russell, Kansas; sisters June Richardson of Haysville, Kansas, Barbara McNickle and husband Larry of rural Cherryvale, Kansas and brother Chester Mishler of Ashland, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 sisters Norma Ruark, Julia Manning, Alice Dennis and Zita Mallory; 2 brothers Dale and Charles Mishler and 2 infant siblings.
A celebration of Charlotte’s life will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, February 03, 2023, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 1 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Thursday, February 02, 2023, at the mortuary. Family will greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening February 02, 2023, at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Russell Senior Center and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.