- Date Of Birth: December 7, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 31, 2020
- State: Illinois
Merza May Dawson nee Ruszler, 91, of O’Fallon, IL, passed away Monday, August 31, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL. Merza was born December 7, 1928 in Vigo County, IN. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Purdue University and served as a home extension agent in southern Indiana following graduation. After marrying Frank Dawson and moving to Rantoul, IL, she taught second grade at Myna Thompson elementary school for two years.
She left teaching to start a family and later returned to the Rantoul city schools as a substitute teacher.Merza loved working with children and led a 4-H club in Rantoul for 14 years. Merza and Frank were members of Rantoul Christian Church where she taught children’s Sunday school. Merza was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and May Christine (nee Myer) Ruszler; husband, Francis Dawson; and siblings, Rosalie Moore, Lloyd Myron Ruszler, and John Ruszler. Surviving are her children, Deborah (Merlin) Nerby of Hixton, WI, Marcia (Frank) Kielnecker of New Mexico, and Eric (Sandra) Dawson of O’Fallon, IL; brother, Paul Ruszler of Blacksburg, VA; grandchildren, Ryan (Stephanie) Nerby, Amanda (Chris) Seifert, James Nerby, Ronald Nerby, Alex Kielnecker, Miranda Dawson, and Mitchell Dawson; great-grandchildren, Hannah Nerby and Alistar Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
