Doris Elaine Mershon, 93, of Rockford, died peacefully with family by her side, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at River Crossing of Rockford.
Doris was born in Tampico, IL to Ora and Pearl (Donaldson) Spears on December 2, 1929. She graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1947. After completing beauty school she opened her own salon in Paw Paw. Doris was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Mershon on November 9, 1952 at the United Methodist Church in Paw Paw, IL.
Doris was a proud Army wife and for nearly 20 years moved around the country with Bob as he served in the military. During this time they were assigned to bases in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Georgia. In addition they were stationed in Germany twice where they enjoyed trips to surrounding countries. She loved seeing new places and making life-long friends along the way. After retiring from the Army, they moved to Wisconsin where they lived for 5 years before settling in Cherry Valley, IL. Doris worked many jobs over the years and in 1976 began her career selling shoes at J.C. Penney where she retired in 1998.
Doris had many hobbies including sewing, crocheting, gardening and coin collecting. But her favorite was her clock collection that started in Germany where she brought back over 100 antique clocks, one of which she purchased with a box of Bazooka bubblegum. Her family was her pride and joy and she cherished the time spent with them. She especially enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter Melanie (Dave) Smith of Janesville, WI; grandchildren, Bob Smith, Becky (Jeremy) Litwicki, Lauren (Chris) Schulte, Tricia Mershon, Randy Mershon, Andrea Mershon, Scott Mershon and Samantha Mershon; and many great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; sons, Dennis, Tim and Kevin; granddaughter, Dusty; siblings, Lyle Spears, Maxine Anderson and Verle Spears; and other family and friends.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, March 10, at Torman Funeral Home, 510 N. Flagg St, Paw Paw, IL followed by a service at 12 with Rev. Dana Cox officiating. Interment will be at Wyoming Cemetery, Paw Paw, IL.
The family would like to thank the staff at River Crossing of Rockford and Promedica Hospice for all their compassion and care given to Doris.
