Barbara Lou Mershon Querry, 84, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of God, on August 14, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. Barbara (Barb) was a loving mother, mother-In-Law, Nana, daughter, sister, Aunt Barb, friend, companion, neighbor and devoted KC Royals fan. Her pride in life was raising her three girls, Paula Christine, Karla Kathleen, and Marcia Elizabeth with the values she learned from her loving parents, Roger and Mildred Mershon.
Born on January 21, 1935, Barbara Lou Mershon was the fifth of ten children born to Roger Waldo and Mildred Pauline Mershon (Jones). Raised in Buckner, Missouri, Barbara felt blessed to grow up on a large family farm, with a childhood full of wonderful memories.
She attended Reber School in Sibley, Missouri, until they moved to the family farm in Buckner when she was in third grade. She graduated from Buckner High School in 1953. She attended the University of Missouri before moving back home to work at Harzfeld’s Department store in downtown Kansas City.
Barbara married her High School classmate, Marvin R. Querry, in 1957. They were married for seventeen years, settling in Blue Springs, Missouri in 1969. Raising her three girls was the light and purpose of Barbara’s life.
Barbara worked in accounting/payroll for many years at John Knox Village and Panhandle Eastern Pipelines. She worked in retail at Osh Kosh where she loved to supply her grandchildren with many wonderful clothes. She found a strong sense of community and fun working at the Oak Grove Senior Center.
Barbara was involved and volunteered in many activities and organizations with her girls as they were growing up, including Camp Fire Girls, United Methodist Youth Group, and Blue Springs High School Music Boosters. She has been a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, member of P.E.O., Fort Osage D.A.R. Chapter, and Missouri Silver-Haired Legislature.
After her girls grew up, she loved spending time with their families, especially as Nana to her eight grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren. A wonderful joy over the last fifteen years, was her many travels and experiences with her special friend and loving companion, Melvin Dickmeyer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Waldo, Jerry, Edward, sisters Marilyn (Norman) Pick, Joann (Dean) Ehlers, and sister-in-law Priscilla. She is also preceded in death by her son-in-law, John Vinyard, whom she loved dearly, like a son.
She is survived by her daughters: Paula (Todd) George of Overland Park, KS.; Karla (Darek) Lester of Lincoln, NE; and Marcia (Danny) Vinyard-Hiestand of Oak Grove, MO. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Elizabeth (Charles) Vinyard, Hannah (Austin) Pettit, Matthew George, Timothy George, Katherine Lester, Abigail George, Audrey Lester, and Andrew Lester, along with four great-grandchildren, Adilynn, Hudson, Gracin and Lydia Lou. She is also survived by brothers, Richard (Sue) Mershon, Tom (Janet) Mershon, Jack Mershon, her sister, Linda (Bill) Powell, sister-in-laws Louise Mershon, Carolyn Mershon, and Pam Mershon as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services on August 24, 2019, Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO: 9-10am Visitation; 10-11am Memorial service; and 11:15-12pm Graveside service. Join Barb’s family to celebrate her life and love for the KC Royals at Grace United Methodist Church in Oak Grove following the services.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara’s wish is for memorial donations go to Grace United Methodist Church (www.grace4all.org) 1501 South Harding St., Oak Grove, MO. 64075.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441