Merle Mumford, 96, Maryville, Mo., died Friday, June 27, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville.

She was born June 15, 1912, in Valley Falls, Kan. to Earl L. and Annie (Towler) Mumford.

Ms. Mumford was retired as a teacher with the Hillsborough Elementary School, San Mateo, Calif. She was a lifetime member of the Missouri and California Retired Teachers Associations.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Naomi Mumford, Ruth Mumford and Martha Goodspeed, and brother Elmer Mumford.

She is survived by a brother, Theodore Mumford, sister Irene Brown, both of Maryville, and nieces and nephews.

Merle's wishes were to be cremated with no visitation, no services and no memorial donations. Her ashes will be buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville.

Arrangements: Price Funeral Home, Maryville, at www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com.