Mona Lisa Merritt Kernagis (1950 - 2024)
Mona Lisa “Nani” Merritt Kernagis passed away unexpectedly on August 2, 2024, in Hobart, Ind. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Mona brought kindness and care, grace and love to each of these roles.
Her grandchildren penned what made her so remarkable to them, and it’s their words that get to the heart of her heart and how she inspired their young lives to take shape into the people they are - a loving testament to honor her memory:
- We love Nani because she always makes time to see us.
- She always has a witty comeback and always makes us smile.
- She has a hint of Texas in her voice! he never gives up.
- She’s really good at board games, and Grace has to cheat to beat her.
- She is the kindest person in the entire world.
- She taught us to love reading by sharing books with us.
- She makes us love Christmas more because our whole tree is filled with ornaments from her.
- She has the coolest Star Trek ornaments.
- She taught us to care for flowers and gardens and gave us our deep-rooted love of pickles!
- She introduced us to Harry Potter and turned us into huge Harry Potter nerds!
- She gave us great hands and nails.
- She loves the good ice!
- She taught us how to love unconditionally.
- She is our greatest role model.
- She is the strongest person we know.
Though a double-lung transplant six years ago required countless trips to hospitals and clinics, Mona never wavered in her gratitude for each moment of every day she had with her family, and in the midst of her beloved family, who flocked to be by her side in the final hours, she passed away.
Mona was a proud member of The Jamestowne Society, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, The Baronial Order of Magna Carta, and Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, and a 7th great-granddaughter of William and Ann Booth Dennett Clopton. Unable to travel to England, she had hoped to meet her Clopton cousins at the 2026 reunion.
She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Tony; children, Tony “T.K.” Kernagis and Kristine (Jon) Leetz; grandchildren: Max, Isabella, Maggie, Grace, Ian, Charlotte, and Josephine; siblings Ted (Robin) Merritt, Marvin Merritt, Doug (Mary) Davis; Roy (Shanna) Merritt, and Mary (Mike) Fitz; many nieces and nephews; and a very large extended family who loved her deeply for her warmth and cheerful nature. Mona was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lottie Etheridge Merritt, and her youngest brother, Lewis Merritt, whose wife, Tracy, survives.
A grateful transplant survivor, Mona donated her corneas– the only organs she was able to contribute. With this gift, someone, somewhere will be able to look upon the world she loved.
Donations in her name are encouraged to the Transplant House of Cleveland. A private family Celebration of Life was held in mid-August. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery for her final rest.