Betty J. Merseal, 78, of De Soto died Sept. 19, 2019, at Hillcrest Care Center in De Soto. Mrs. Merseal worked at the Bus Cafe, the De Soto Shoe Factory and the Fountainbleau Nursing Center. Born June 8, 1941, in Belgrade, she was the daughter of the late Oma Edna (Giffin) and Lawrence Irwin Gillam.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Lawrence Elmer Merseal.
She is survived by three children: Don (Nadine) Merseal, Linda (John) Watkins and Larry (Lorie) Merseal, all of De Soto; two brothers: Dean (Judy) Gillam of De Soto and Merle (Shirley) Gillam of Pevely; a sister-in-law: Betty Gillam of De Soto; seven grandchildren: Gail (Tiger) Kenuam, Julie (Jack) Greer, Sarah (J.J.) Hammond, Brittney (Terry) Haffner, Amy (Roger) James, David Merseal and John Watkins Jr.; four great-grandchildren: Lilly, Justin, Ryan and Change; and four great-great-grandchildren: Koltyn, Arrow, Keenyn and Jasper.
She was preceded in death by six siblings: Mary Ann Byers, Ruth (Howard) Downs, Harold (Norma) Gillam, Darrell Gillam, Lottie Gillam, and Earl (Emma Lou “Cookie”) Gillam.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the funeral home, officiated by Father Alexander Anderson. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to the De Soto Senior Center, 13227 Hwy. E, De Soto MO 63020. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.