Edith Belle Houchen

Edith Belle Houchen, age 93, of Florence, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City.
She was born October 1, 1915, in Otterville, a daughter of Ernest "Ern" and Clara Maness Wear, both deceased.
Edith married Harry Mertgen December 25, 1936, and he preceded her in death in 1956. To this union three children were born, Evelyn Sue, Harry Dwight and William Ernest. On June 21, 1958, she married Elmer C. Houchen who preceded her in death November 25, 1991.
She was a 1933 graduate of Otterville High School. She worked at the Tipton Pants factory for many years.
Edith had been a member of the Presbyterian Church in Otterville. In 1936, she transferred her membership to St. John United Church of Christ in Florence, where she remained an active member. She helped charter the Kola Club in 1937 and was also a founding member of the Quilting Grannies.
Edith was an accomplished seamstress, an excellent cook and most of all, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include two sons, Dwight Mertgen and Bill Mertgen and wife Waneta, all of Florence; one sister, Rosie Allison of Tipton; seven grandchildren, Billy Clint Mertgen and wife Kim, Kristina Payne and husband Terry, Debra Helming and husband Richard, Terry Watring, Billy Joe Watring, LaVonda James and husband Neil, Edith LaVern Mertgen and Ernest Mertgen and wife Sonya, nineteen great grandchildren, Corbin and Carsyn Mertgen, Chance Mertgen, Desiray Belt, Taylon, Tharyn and Daxton Payne, Shannon Draffen and wife Medena, Shawna Asbury and husband Kyle, Christy Wilfong and husband Jimmy, Brittany Helming, Ashlea Sue Poise, Terri Dawn Watring, Laci LaVern Watring, Casey Garber and husband Landon, Brooklyn Richey and fiance Casey Wasser, Colt Wheeler and Madeline and Nigel Mertgen, seven great-great grandchildren, Grace and Halle (stinky) Draffen, Kaden Asbury, Coy Wilfong, Cadon and Rowan Garber and Boden Wasser, (Two additional great-great grandchildren are on the way) along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Edith was also preceded in death by one daughter, Evelyn Sue Watring, one brother, Donald Wear and three sisters, Frances Williams, Ernestine Oehrke Henderson and Eunice Young.
Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Sunday, August 9, at St. John United Church of Christ in Florence with Rev. Mike Miller officiating. Interment will be in St. John UCC Cemetery in Florence with Ernest Mertgen, Terry Watring, Billy Joe Watring, Billy Clint Mertgen, Shannon Draffen and Colt Wheeler serving as casket bearers.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Saturday, August 8, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John United Church of Christ.