Mary Elizabeth Oakes Mehl, 84, died February 29, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita.  She was born January 10, 1940, in Hookerton, NC to Benton Watkins and Thelma (Taylor) Oakes, Sr.

Mary Elizabeth graduated from Stedman High School, Stedman, NC in 1958, and Lenoir Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Kinston, NC, in 1960.   Her entire working career was that of a caregiver, working as a registered nurse in either a hospital or retirement community.  From an early age, Mary Elizabeth attended church with her parents and currently was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson. She enjoyed singing in church choirs and gardening. Mary Elizabeth held many titles, but her proudest title was that of a wife, mommy, and grandma.

On November 9, 1961, she married Gene L. Mehl.  He died June 2, 2018, after they shared over 56 years of marriage.

Mary Elizabeth is survived by:  son, Gene A. Mehl (Debora); daughters, Connie Lynn Bohringer, all of Hutchinson, and Pamela Joy Conklin (Christopher) of Sanford, NC; Gene's children, Michael Mehl (Cassie), Mathew Mehl, Lester 'Tra' Cape (Angelica), Christopher Cape (Crystal), Adam Cape, and Breia Venegas (Mario); Connie's children, Lorenzo Bohringer (Adrienne), Mikel Bohringer (Chelsey),  and Shania Green (Spencer); Pamela's children, Jonathan Conklin (Brooke), Joshua Conklin (Rikki), and Christopher Conklin II; siblings, Joe Oakes (Pam), David Oakes (Ji Wone), Ellen Bill, Peggy Carter, and Carol Rouse (Bobby); sisters-in law, Sue Oakes, Louise Oakes, and Kathy Oakes; brother-in-law, Don Mehl; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in by:  her parents; brothers, Keith Oakes, Benton W. Oakes, Jr., Fletcher Oakes, and Kenneth Oakes; and granddaughters, Jacqueline Rose Conklin and Amy Mehl; and brothers-in-law, Harold Bill and Pete Carter; sisters-in-law, Betty Beagley (Ermon) and Mary E. Mehl.

Funeral service will be 9:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th, Hutchinson, with Pastors Quentin Nuttmann and Henry Blickhahn officiating. Graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Holyrood.  Friends may call from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mary Mehl Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.  To benefit the Mary Mehl Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Elliott Mortuary.