Ella Merrill

Ella Mae Merrill, 88, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2016 at the Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living Center in Tulsa. She was born May 17, 1927 in Coffeyville, Kansas to James Henry and Violet (Shufeldt) McConkey and she grew up in Lenapah, Oklahoma. Her dad was an independent oil driller which moved the family around a lot. Although there were many moves, Ella Mae was still able to graduate high school in Lenapah at the age of 16. After high school, Ella Mae taught in a one room schoolhouse in Nowata County. Once she had completed a few semesters there, she decided, at the age of 17, to attend college. She started out at Oklahoma University and graduated from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in 1947 at the age of 20. Ella Mae met the love of her life, Jim Merrill, in college. They got married in Lenapah on July 4, 1947. Jim and Ella Mae worked at the Coffeyville Journal. Jim had a business degree and Ella Mae had a degree in journalism which made them a perfect pair. Ella Mae was also going to school to get her teaching degree at the time. Ella Mae started teaching English in Port Arthur, Texas in 1954 while she continued her classes. She ended up as an A.P. English teacher in Corona del Mar, California and retired in 1982. After retirement, Jim and Ella Mae moved back to Coffeyville to be near her family. They had two children Geoff and Steve, six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Ella Mae served as a Pink Lady volunteering for over 20 years at Coffeyville Regional Hospital, was active in the Coffeyville Arts and Literature Club for many years, and was very active in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Coffeyville. She was very proud of her Indian heritage and loved sharing her family history with her children and grandchildren. She had a special place in her heart for all her family and friends. Ella Mae will be missed by all who knew her. Preceding Ella May in death are her parents, James and Violet McConkey; and her husband, Jim Merrill. Her survivors include two sons, Geoff Merrill of South Pasadena, California, Steve Merrill and his wife Sue, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Anna Gaines and husband Chris, Caroline Hobbs and husband Nate, Patrick Merrill, Brian Merrill and wife Misty, Adam Merrill and wife Katie, Lindsay Merrill; eight great grandchildren, Braden Tucker, Leland Merrill, Ollie Merrill, Annie Mae Merrill, Will Gaines, Cameron Gaines, Rosemary Hobbs, Jake Hobbs; many other relatives and a host of friends

Service Details

Saturday, April 9th, 2016 10:00am, First Presbyterian Church Coffeyville

Interment Details

Mt. Washington Cemetery