Mary Jo Merrell was born August 16, 1939, in Anthony, Kansas to Swede and Bea Arnold. She was raised on a farm and graduated from Bluff City High School. She lived in Kansas until the late 1970's when she moved to Arkansas with her late husband, Bob Merrell. She retired from Walmart Corporate Legal Department in 2009. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Bella Vista, AR for almost 40 years. She lived life to the fullest and brought cheer to all who knew her. She battled Parkinson's disease bravely, until her death on January 23, 2018.

Mary Jo is survived by her children, Sharon (Mark) Reuter, Bentonville, AR; Sharla (Jay) Fellers, Englewood, CO; David Baker, Bentonville, AR; Susan (Wallace) Keck, Almo, ID; Kent (Kathleen) Baker, Bentonville, AR; and Cheryl (Lane) Schartz, Spring Hill, KS.
She is also survived by her sister, Vickie (Jim) Shellhammer, Bluff City, KS; brothers, Bill (Janet) Arnold, Anthony, KS; and John Arnold, Bluff City, KS; eight grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Visitation will be held at Bella Vista Funeral Home on Thursday, January 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Anthony, Kansas 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, followed by inurnment in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is assisting with the local arrangements.