Cleo Mae Cox Mezger passed away peacefully from this life on Sunday, December 23, 2007, at Dillon Living Center where she had resided for the past four months.

She was born on December 14, 1918, in Cimarron, Gray County, Kansas to James Ervin and Merle Violet Smith Cox. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, John H. and Lucinda Mae Spence Smith in Plevna, Reno County, KS, where she was known as Cleo Smith. Cleo graduated in 1938 from Plevna High School. She also was a graduate of Adela Hale Business College. A resident of Hutchinson since 1950, she was a retail clerk for Gibson's Discount Center, retiring in 1981.

She belonged to Crossroads Christian Church, Serendipity Sams Camping Club, 11+1 Card Club and Reno County Historical Society. On November 6, 1944, she married Arthur William Mezger at Raymond, KS. She is survived by her husband of 63 years; two daughters, Sharon and husband, Larry Barton, Mesquite, TX, and Shirley and husband, Steve Lanham, Wichita; five granddaughters, Shann Davis, Heath, TX, Leslie Kuecker, Woodway, TX, Valerie Stewart, Peck, KS, Tracy Boswell, Kingman, KS and Melody Williams, Haysville, KS; two great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; cousins, Don Smith, Birmingham, AL, Ralph Smith, Famersville, LA, Eva Nickel, Scott City, KS, and Hester Watson, Hutchinson.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Dee Ann Mezger and Pastor Wayne Pittman presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the mortuary, with family present 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

Memorials may be sent to Crossroads Christian Church or Hospice Care of Reno County, both in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be sent to: www.elliottmortuary.com.