Meryl Claire Bruner, of Queens, New York, then Los Angeles, California, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Seattle, Washington, Boston, Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on July 15, 2024 from Covid complications, in Las Vegas, at the age of 66.

Meryl Claire was born to Alex and Rose Perl (Kanner) on March 14, 1958 in New York City, and she married her most fortunate husband, Michael, on October 21, 1984.

Meryl absolutely loved life, the innocence of animals, music of almost all kinds, and humor. She was caring, funny, generous, selfless, and she was usually found smiling or laughing. She had no tolerance for cruelty, though cruel life oftentimes is. She lost her doting father at the age of 11, then her mother was hospitalized from grief, and then she learned she too had the same genetic kidney disease that killed her father, and all her children would have a 50/50 chance of having that same disease and passing it on.  She required a kidney transplant at the young age of 49, and she was regularly hospitalized thereafter. Yet despite all this, Meryl's deep love of life and her natural happiness, no matter how wounded and understandably defensive she might be, were never diminished, even in her final moments.

Meryl was a loving and devoted wife to her husband. She was his rock. She became a CPA after graduating from college, handling all the family finances and taking care of most practical duties so Michael could pursue his starry-eyed dreams. In fellow pursuit of those dreams, they travelled across the country and the world, enjoying the travel but forfeiting the security of long-term community. Yes, Meryl made friends wherever she went, but children and deep-rooted community she never had. She and Michael nevertheless enjoyed true love, and what greater blessing is there than that, for 43 years.

Meryl was preceded in death by her father and her mother. Some of her grandparents and much of her distant family were victims of the Holocaust. She is survived by her husband, her brother Richard Perl, his wife Grace, and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the National Kidney Foundation (https://www.kidney.org) or Wesley Cemetery's general upkeep fund (Wesley Cemetery, Inc., P.O. Box 548, Willard, MO 65781), in Meryl's name.

A celebration of Meryl's life and spirit will occur on Sunday, September 22, at 425 Downtown, located at 425 W. Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri, with visitation from 11 to 1, dinner plus commemoration from 1 to 3, then conversation with open bar thereafter. Parking is directly across the street. All friends and family are most welcome, and all are encouraged to share memories of Meryl if they'd like.