Joan Margaret (Brown) Mertl, 92, of Reeds Spring lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease on July 17, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene (Gene); parents Joe and Sadie; and sisters Dorris Martin and Phyllis Pieper.

She is survived by son Ken (Carol); daughter Chris Stuckenschmidt; grandchildren Sarah Lorello (Christopher Davis), Jennifer Escobar (Moises), Lisa Ransier (Christopher), and Jacob Mertl; and great-grandchildren Chloe, Chase and Cole Lorello, Amelia, Madeliene, and Sadie Escobar, Easton Ransier, and Jack, Max, and Andy Davis.

Joan married her high school sweetheart in St. Louis, MO, in 1952. She enjoyed crafts, including painting, needle work, and ceramics; and she took great pleasure in baking (chocolate chip cookies were her specialty and a family favorite). Joan was also a prolific reader and enjoyed word puzzles and playing cards. She loved Christmas and each year turned her home into a Christmas wonderland with decorations from around the world. In 1993, Gene and Joan retired in Reeds Spring where they enjoyed being at the lake with family and friends. Joan will be remembered as a very loving mom, grandma and great-grandma whose sweet, generous spirit will live on through those whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., at the Stumpff Funeral Home, 65 Comfort Lane, Kimberling City, MO, 65686.  Interment will be held Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Road, Springfield, MO, 65804.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.