Jean Alice Merry, 84 of Effingham, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with burial in Oakridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to the time of service, Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be given to the Effingham County Humane Society. https://effinghamcountyhumanesociety.org/donate/

Jean was born August 7, 1937, the daughter of Sylvan and Dora (Fox) Allegree of Vincennes, Indiana. She married Orville "Scoop" Merry on August 6, 1961. Jean graduated from high school in Fritchton, Indiana, Vincennes University and Indiana State Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught for 2 years in the Effingham Unit 40 District and then in the Altamont Unit 10 District for 19 years; retiring in 1980. In 1979, Jean and her husband built Taco Rail in Effingham, which they owned and operated until selling in 1996.

Jean was a member of the Daughter of the American Revolution, American Association of University Women, as well as belonging to the Effingham County Retired Teachers.

Jean is survived by her husband, "Scoop" of Effingham; son, Neal (Sheri) of Carthage; grandchildren, Trisha (Jared) Himmel of Troy, MO and Dalton (Emily) of Cabot, AR; step-great-grandchildren, Bentley and Payton.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Chad Evan and her brother, Denny Allegree.