John Vollmer Mering

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University of Arizona University of Florida University of Missouri University of North Dakota

John Mering Obituary

John Vollmer Mering age 78, Tucson, AZ, died on Monday, August 3, 2009. John was born in 1931 in Kansas City, MO. He attended Pembroke County Day School in Kansas City. He graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1953, and he received his Doctorate of Philosophy in History from that institution in 1960. The title of his dissertation, which he completed under the direction of Professor Lewis Atherton, is "The Whig party in Missouri." Mering's book with that same title appeared in 1967. From 1954 to 1956, he served as a lieutenant in the Artillery of the United States Army. In 1969, Mering came to Tucson as a Professor of History at the University of Arizona, where he remained until he became Professor Emeritus in 1993. Between 1960 and 1969, he held faculty positions at the University of North Dakota and the University of Florida. Particularly stellar among his doctoral students at the University of Arizona are Jerry Stanley of Bakersfield, CA, Philip Avillo of York, PA, John Hosmer of Tucson, and William Hitchcock of Fork Union, VA. Survivors are his four children, Clay Westfall Mering and his wife, Laurie of Tucson; Ellen Curtis Mering of Tucson; Margaret Vollmer Mering and her husband, Duncan Case of Lincoln, NE; and Sallie Rollins Mering and her husband, Steve West of Corvallis, OR; his three grandchildren are Alden, Vatika and Eli. Mering's parents were Clara Vollmer Mering and Ray Delaplane Mering of Kansas City, MO and Great Bend, KS. Mering's two living sisters are Jean Quinn of Kansas City and Virginia McDonald of Miami Lakes, FL. His brother Ray Delaplane Mering II died in 1982; his sister, Clu Taylor died in 2000 and his sister, Marjorie Sherman died in 2007. In 1954 he married Ellen Rollins Westfall of Columbia, MO. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 North Campbell, Tucson, AZ 85718, on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Philip's, or to the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street, 18th floor, New York, NY 10004, www.aclu.org.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star from Aug. 5 to Aug. 6, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mering

6 Entries

Margarita Y.

September 19, 2022

I remember the first day in an evening seminar class with Dr. John V. Mering in 1978 at the U/A. There were at least two dozen students, a very large class for a seminar. The class syllabus was mostly a bibliography of dozens & dozens of Civil War history authors and book titles. After asking several students about which book was the best on the list, he asked me and out of the blue I said, "Well, it would be the one book that convinced me the most." He smiled & said "Correct!" At the next meeting, half of the students continued and all passed. Dr. Mering was the best professor who convinced me about the research and realities of the Civil War & Reconstruction. I became a professor at Pima Community College and retired last Fall 2021. Dr. Mering was always respectful of all his students, a tough but gentle soul, and therefore, the best role model. My deepest sympathies to all his loved ones. Margarita Y.

John Selby

January 4, 2010

John Mering changed my life. I had begun to major in history when I took his class on Reconstruction. He taught us history, historiography, and critical thinking in that class, and his approach to history made me want to teach history at the college level. He encouraged me at every level in my professional development, and I felt blessed to know him and later, once I became a college professor, to count him as one of my friends. I cannot believe he is no longer here to give me advice and goad me to think differently and creatively.

Gaeel Beaham

August 7, 2009

The first day of class with Dr. Mering I was greeted with, "Mrs. Beaham?"
I responded.
He then showed(as John could only display) his great enthusiasm for having a relative of his Pembroke classmate, Gordon Beaham, in class.
John was able to nudge an answer from a student like none other. It was his gift to develop confidence in his students.
I remember him with respect and admiration.
Please accept my deepest sympathy at his passing.

Paul Saba

August 6, 2009

John Mering was an inspiring teacher, a wonderful mentor, a sharp intellect and a person of great warmth and sensitivity.

He will be long remembered by everyone whose lives he touched.

Allan Quinn

August 5, 2009

We have such wonderful memories of Uncle John visiting our family in Michigan. He was such an amazing man and his warmth and laughter will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Allan and Cindy Quinn

Michele Frederick

August 5, 2009

My sympathies to your family. I was in a French class at Catalina High School with Margaret. (My name was Michele McCleneghan then.) My thoughts and prayers are with you, Margaret.

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