Service Time:  10:30 A.M.
Day and Date:  Friday, April 30, 2010
Location:  St. Ann's Catholic Church - Walker, Kansas
Visitation and Guest Book Registration: 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary - Russell.
Vigil Service:  7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary - Russell, Kansas.
Graveside Services:  St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery - Walker, Kansas
Memorials:  St. Ann's Catholic Church - Walker, Kansas.

Clara Barbara (Scheck) Mermis, 95 of Russell and formerly of Walker, died Tuesday April 27, 2010 at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Clara was born July 27, 1914 in Walker, Kansas the daughter of John and Anna (Vonfeldt) Scheck.  She grew up and attended schools in the Walker and Victoria area.

Clara was united in marriage to Alfred John Mermis on November 5, 1935 in Walker.  This union was blessed with five children; Alfred, Vera, Frank, Verlin and Norman. 

Clara was a devoted mother and homemaker.  Everything evolved around her family.  She also was a house keeper for the surrounding area, helped clean the Elks Lodge, spent 14 years helping her daughter with the Kessler’s Cleaners in Russell and babysat on Sunday mornings for many churches.  Clara moved to Russell from Walker in 1965.  Clara was known as “Grandma Mermis” to many people.

Clara was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church of Walker and later on a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Russell.  She also was a member of the Russell American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.  She enjoyed cooking, baking and canning.  She also loved playing Bingo and was the “Best” baby rocker.

Surviving family include three sons, Alfred Mermis and wife Virginia of Artesia, New Mexico, Frank Mermis and wife Mary and Norman Mermis all of Hays, Kansas; daughter, Vera Galliart of Russell, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Darita Mermis of Hays, Kansas; 20 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren and 3 on the way.  She was preceded in death by her parents, son Verlin, son-in-law Gene Galliart, daughter-in-law Dorothy Mermis and grandson-in-law Mike Schippers.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 30, 2010 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker with Fr. Charles Steier and Fr. James Grennan officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Walker.  The Vigil will be held at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday at the mortuary.  A memorial has been established with St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.