Obituary for Dorris Madeline Heller Mekus

Dorris Madeline Heller Mekus, 94, of Mount Ayr, Iowa died Sunday, April 9, 2006, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 17, 2006 at 11:00 AM at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa with the Rev. Father Tom Dooley officiating. Dorris Madeline Graham was born October 21, 1911, to Joseph and Inez (Truitt) Graham in Granger, Iowa. In 1937 she married Cecil Heller and together they had two children Max and Richard. Cecil preceded Dorris death in 1945 and she married Pete Mekus in 1949. Pete and Dorris retired to Tucson, Arizona, in 1978. Dorris returned to Indianola, Iowa, after Pete’s death in 1994. In September of 2003, Dorris moved to Clearview Homes in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Dorris graduated from Milo High School in 1929. From 1929 to 1933 Dorris attended Simpson College graduating with a major in music and a minor in English. Dorris played the piano for silent movie theaters in Indianola and Milo. Dorris was employed with Meredith Publishing in the purchasing department as a purchasing agent for twenty years. Prior to her employment with Meredith Publishing, Dorris was a teacher in Alleman, Iowa from 1935 to 1936. Survivors include two sons Max A. (Sandra) Mekus of Mt. Ayr, Iowa and Richard J.(Melonie) Mekus of Olathe, Kansas; two sisters Louvele Sams of Indianola, Iowa, and Darlene Graham of Milo, Iowa. Survivors also include five grand children, five great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Dorris was preceded in death by her first husband, Cecil Heller; second husband, Peter Mekus; two sisters Ruth Graham and Elva Hibbs and a brother, Dr. Joseph Graham. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mount Ayr in Dorris’ name.