Merrie Lou Davis

Merrie Lou (Smith) Davis passed away on September 10, 2018. She was born in the former Massillon City Hospital on February 15, 1935 to Daniel and Edna (Kemp) Smith. Merrie Lou graduated from WHS in 1953 and went on to work for the FBI in Washington D.C. In 1955, she married Patrick J. Davis and moved to Ogden, Utah, where Mr. Davis was stationed in the Air Force until 1957 when they returned to Massillon. Merrie Lou became secretary to Mayor Mark Ross in 1973 and thereafter to Mayor Delbert Demmer from 1980 to 1988. She then was Executive Secretary to the president of Wayne Dalton Corp in Mt. Hope for. For 5 years she was employed by the Board of Education, retiring in 1998. In retirement, she worked part-time as a cashier for Marc’s and then Bordners Mayflower. Merrie Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years in 2011, sister Dorothy M. Kuhlins; brother, LaVerne D. Smith; sisters-in-law Dottie (Mrs. William) Smith and Jeanne (Mrs. Laverne Smith) and brother-in-law, Ernest Kuhlins. She is survived by her son, Michael P. (Brenda) Davis of Canton and daughter Peggy (Ronald Thomas) Davis of Massillon as well as her former daughter-in-law and spouse Rene and Ron Bankert. Merrie Lou has 2 wonderful grandchildren Dan D. (Sara) Davis and Maureen Davis. There are 6 step-grandchildren, as well as 2 great-granddaughters Kayla and Ava; her very special “Honeybun” great-grandson Owen Patrick. Merrie Lou was also a great-great-grandmother to Ariella Davis of Canton; and had 14 step-great grandchildren and 6 step great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of Merrie Lou’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 10:30 am at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The family will receive friends the Funeral Home on Monday from 5-7p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Stark County Humane Society in Merrie Lou’s name. The family would like to thank the care givers at Aultman Hospital and Amherst Meadows Skilled Nursing for their compassion and care. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home & Crematory (330) 833-4839