SIKESTON -- Merideth A. Bange, 85, formerly of Sikeston, died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at Miner Nursing Center in Miner.

She was born Nov. 17, 1913, at Chaffee, daughter of August and Bess Montgomery Ralston. She and Vernon Hopkins Sr. were married in 1931. He died in 1941. She later married S.A. Fowler in 1945, who died Jan. 8, 1988. She and Albert G. Bange were married Nov. 17, 1988, at Essex.

Bange was a graduate of Bloomfield High School. She worked for the Rationing Board in Bloomfield during World War II, had been a bookkeeper and secretary for Trailback Plantation at Essex, and had been a bookkeeper for Big Sandy Farm near Sikeston.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Vernon Hopkins of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three sons and two brothers.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. Sunday.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the chapel. Dr. Jim Davis and the Rev. Rick Lasley will officiate. Burial will be in Bloomfield Cemetery at Bloomfield.