Merna R. Alkire

Merna Ruth Alkire 81, of Maryville, MO, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, with her daughter at her side.

Merna was born on August 29, 1931, in Fairfax, MO, to Melvin Lester and Claudine (Wennihan) Graves, she had lived all her life in northwest Missouri. She was a member and attended the Barnard Christian Church, Barnard, MO.

On February 14, 1953, Merna was united in marriage to Virgil Nyal Alkire in Maryville, MO. They farmed in the Barnard, MO, area until his death in 1981. Merna continued living on the family farm until moving to Maryville 12 years ago.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Stephen Nyal Alkire, in 1973; and her husband Virgil.

Merna worked as a Nurse’s Aid at the Nodaway Nursing Home and Parkdale Manor, Maryville, MO, then retired as activities director at the LaVerna Heights in Savannah, MO. She continued to work for Tiffany In Home Services, of Maryville, until last year.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Kay and husband, Duane White, Maryville, MO; her granddaughter, Meva and husband, Monty Williams, Kansas City, MO; great grandchildren, Mikai and MaKaynli Williams, Kansas City, MO; and her brother, Dean Graves, Mt. Vernon, MO.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. A reception for friends will follow the service at the funeral home community room. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be later at the Barnard Masonic Cemetery, Barnard, MO.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the Barnard Christian Church, and may be left at the funeral home.

For online condolences and guestbook, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com