Leslie Meritt

Leslie Ann Meritt, 57, of Marble Hill passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Oct. 8, 1966, in Cape Girardeau to Ronald and Norma Ann Elfrink Beussink.

Leslie was a 1984 graduate of Leopold High School and earned a registered nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Southeast Missouri State University.

She and James Darin Meritt were married Nov. 11, 1995, at St. John's Catholic Church in Leopold.

Leslie spent most of her nursing career in the nursery -- neonatal intensive care unit -- at Missouri Delta Medical Center and Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was a member of St. John's Church in Leopold.

She enjoyed going out to the farm to see the cows and watching movies. Above all, Leslie loved spending time with Victoria and Norma.

Survivors include her mother, Norma Beussink; husband, James Darin Meritt; daughter, Victoria Meritt of Marble Hill; brother, Andrew (Amy) Beussink of Kelso; and two nephews, Owen and Grant Beussink.

Leslie was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Beussink.

Visitation was Monday, Feb. 5, with Knights of Columbus rosary and parish prayers, at Ford and Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at St. John's Church in Leopold, with the Rev. Antony Thekkanath officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Autism Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.