Mary E. Derring

Mary Elizabeth (Merley) Derring, age 86, Akron, died at 6:43 a.m. at her residence.

She was born March 20, 1926, in Akron to William F. and Berdella (Bammerlin) Merley.  Outside of six years in the Calumet area, she lived her entire life in Akron.

Mary graduated from Akron High School in 1944.  In 1945, she married Vernon Irving Derring in East Chicago where she had moved to attend St. Catherine’s Nursing School, graduating in 1947, then moved back to Akron with her husband and three little girls.

Mary worked as a registered nurse for Dr. Dean Stinson’s office in Rochester and would often accompany the doctor on house calls to ailing patients.  After working for Dr. Stinson for 11 years, she quite to devote more time to her family.  She dedicated much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members, including her mother until she passed away at the age of 84 and her husband when he passed away at the age of 73.  She continued care giving and worked with the elderly at local nursing homes, then offered much care and support for grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mary was an active member of the missionary women of the Akron Church of God.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Kitson of Syracuse; three daughters:  Mary Catherine (spouse Russ) Koppang of Naples, Florida and Wells, Maine; Della G. Derring of Akron; and Doris D. (spouse Ken) Morse of Chesterton; five grandchildren:  Eric J. (spouse Susan) Koppang of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas; Paul V. (spouse Brooke) Koppang of Charlotte, NC; Vernon G. Derring of Batesville, Ark.; Maria D. Mason of Fort Wayne; and Jason A. Morse of Chesterton; eight great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Berdella and William; her husband, Vernon; a half sister, Ruby Gale (Merley) Sherman; a niece, Lucy Kay (Kitson) Jobin.

Memorial services are at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at Earl-Love Funeral Home, 811 E. Rochester St., Akron, with Rev. Terry Canfield officiating.

Visitation is noon-2:00 p.m. before the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wee Care Day Care of the Akron Church of God; the Akron Public Library; or the Fulton County Historical Society.

Arrangements by Earl-Love Funeral Home, Akron.

Online condolences may be sent to earllovefuneralhome.com

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