Ruth Mary Mesler

RUTH MARY MESLER (Rary) passed into eternity February 22, 2017. Born to Ezra Donald and Ruth Farlow Meacham February 21, 1922 in Paola, KS, she was the first of five children. In 1923 they moved to Lorraine, KS, where her father served as school superintendent & teacher until he retired. At age 9, Ruth Mary confessed her Christian faith, was baptized, and became a member of the Lorraine Baptist Church. For the rest of her life, Sunday School pianists seemed scarce, so from age 9 began a life long role of playing piano for children Sunday School Departments, High School Glee Clubs & Orchestra, church meetings in college, youth choirs, and from 1951 adult & Junior High Sunday School Classes, evening prayer services, church meetings at Westport Presbyterian Church, and Chapel services well into her nineties at Armour Oaks. She graduated from Lorraine High School in 1940 and from Kansas State University in 1944. She taught high school for 3 years in the Little River, KS, and for 2 years at Liberty Jr. High in Hutchinson, KS. In 1949 she moved to Kansas City, MO to work 3 years in Home Services for Gas Service Co. In 1950, she married Myron Dorsey Mesler of Kansas City, MO. They met in church & frequented the Pla-Mor. In 1951 they joined Westport Presbyterian Church where she was a women's circle leader and Sunday School teacher for adult & youth classes. For years she was a member of a sewing group that made quilts & pillows for children at the Crittendon Home. While raising their family, Ruth served as Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Brownie Leader, and as Room Mother at school for each child. The family took ambititious 2-week annual vacations visiting historical sites, state capitols & national & state parks. For several years she volunteered at Research Hospital until her husband retired. From then on Ruth & Myron attended 50 Elderhostels. Her travels included all 50 states, Canada, Europe, and 2 trips to the Holy Land. Preceding her death were her husband in 2009, her sister Dorothy Read, Birmingham, AL, & her 2 brothers, Robert Meacham, Overland Park, KS, & Don Meacham, Birmingham, AL. Surviving are a sister, Gerre Tweedy-Smith, KCMO, son Don (Marlene) Mesler, Birmingham, AL, daughter Barbara (Tom) Shewmaker, Buffalo, MO, son Paul Mesler (KCMO); 9 grandchildren: Mckenzie (Bret) Golson, Marilane (Adam) Carter, Micah Mesler, Malynda (Brady) McLaughlin, Michala (Grant) Alexander, Mason Mesler, Brian (Vanessa) Shewmaker, Amy Shewmaker & Cortney Shewmaker; and 7 great grandchildren: Gabriel, Gates, & Banks Golson, Isaac & Seth Carter, Major & Maxwell McLaughlin; and many dear in-laws, nieces & nephews. Memorial Service will be: March 27, 2017 at 10:30 am at the Armour Oaks Chapel, 8100 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. If any wish, Ruth Mary requests memorial donations be made to Westport Presbyterian Church or Armour Oaks.

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Ruth Mary Mesler

February 21, 1922 - February 22, 2017