Mercedes C. Sayler

Mercedes C. Sayler, 92, of Topeka, passed away on November 4, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born in Paxico, Kansas on January 2, 1917 the daughter of Michael and Mary (Meinhardt) Zeller.  Mercedes was a 1934 graduate of Paxico High School and Strickler’s Business College.  She worked as a bookkeeper for Adam’s Business Forms.  Mercedes was one of the first three Tupperware dealers in Topeka in the 1950’s.  She also worked as a bookkeeper for Quality Petroleum for 25 years prior to her retirement.  

She enjoyed quilting, tatting, all types of needlework, bowling, square dancing and was a member of the Lake Shawnee Ladies Golf Association. 

Mercedes was a member of Mater Dei Assumption Parish since 1959 and had previously been a member of Sacred Heart Parish.  She was a volunteer at the Assumption church and a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital where she had given over 4,000 hours of service.  She was also a member of Little Flower Circle #503 of the Daughters of Isabella since 1937. 

She had lived in Osage City for the past two months but had lived most of her life in  Topeka.

Mercedes married Leon Sayler on May 30, 1940 in Paxico, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on January 19, 2001.  Survivors include:  a daughter, Thelma Humerickhouse and husband Joe of Osage City, Ks., two sons, Stephen L. Sayler and wife Janis of Olathe, Ks., Michael M. Sayler and wife Linda of Needham, Mass., eight grandchildren, DeeAnna Simmonds, Joe L. Humerickhouse, Christy Humerickhouse, Jerrad (Lisa) Humerickhouse, David (Amy) Sayler, James (Jennifer) Sayler, Jennifer Sayler and Brian Sayler, eleven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by a brother Alvin  (Margaret) Zeller of Paxico.  She was preceded in death by her siblings, Sister Maxine Zeller O.S.B., Florian Zeller, Verena Seberg, Mildred Degenhardt, Thelma Caponergo and Louise DeDonder.

Mercedes will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Sunday after 2:00 p.m. where a Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle #503 will recite a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Mater Dei Assumption Parish.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Hospital Partners in Caring, Sacred Heart Church in Paxico or to Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.