Merle Lewis

Merle Lewis, well-loved former counselor at Putnam County R-1 High School and Hartford, MO, resident has died. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends in the area. She was 92.

The daughter of Lawrence and Lelia Blanche (Kimmel) Barnhouse, Lois Merle was born in Laurel, IA, on September 12, 1924. The family moved to Hartford, MO, a year later where Merle spent the rest of her life. She married Ernest Lewis on June 16, 1946, and he preceded her in death on December 13, 1981. Merle was also preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Valera Mulanix, Rosalee Cooley, and Amolee Weatherly. Merle is survived by nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Merle graduated from Unionville High School in 1943, and from Kirksville State Teacher’s College (now Truman University) in 1952 with a BS in education. She earned her Master’s degree in administration from that University in 1959. Merle worked toward her doctorate at the University of Kansas during 1964-1966 and received a Counselors certification in 1967.

Merle began her teaching career straight out of high school at Pickering Rural School in 1943, walking four miles per day to teach at the one room school. She taught a total of twelve years in country schools. In addition to Pickering, she taught at Hartford, Hillcrest, and Graysville. Merle attended college over summer breaks during these years. She taught at Milan Elementary school in Milan, MO, from 1955-1957. She began teaching 4th grade at Unionville Elementary in 1957; she became the Unionville High School guidance counselor in 1965 and remained there until her retirement in 1979. In 1976 Merle was named Outstanding Counselor of the Year at the state meeting of the Missouri Guidance Association in Jefferson City.

During and after her career Merle was deservedly honored many times by the community. She was proud to be chosen to give the commencement address for graduating seniors at Putnam County R-1 High School in 1975 and again in 1979, the year she retired. She was thrilled to serve as Grand Marshal of the 1987 Homecoming parade and to see many of the students that she taught during her 30 year career, who she thought of as “her family.” In 1984 Merle was named Citizen of the Month by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her years of dedication and hard work.

Merle was a longtime member of the Hartford Baptist Church, to which she generously gave her time and energy over the years. She served as clerk for the North Central Baptist Association for 33 years, which was a record.

Merle taught and guided hundreds of students in their academics, assisted them in gaining admission into college or trade schools, helped them obtain scholarships and grants, and occasionally loaned her own money for college funds. Many can testify to the way she touched their lives, whether through educational guidance, career mentoring, personal friendships, or the church.

Merle was a caring and dedicated educator, who gave willingly of her time and energy to help the students who crossed her path. Her encouragement helped many students succeed in their studies, careers, and lives. To paraphrase one of her former students, “Merle believed that young people are priceless and our hope for the future. She worked to help them achieve goals so that they could make the most of themselves. Few people touched so many lives. She gave the best she had: she gave herself.”

Funeral services for Merle Lewis will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home
in Unionville, MO, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016. Visitation will be on Friday, September 30, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Hartford Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Hartford Cemetery or the Hartford Baptist Church building fund and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.