Mervin Troyer

Mervin Troyer, 97, passed to his heavenly reward at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, on Friday (March 11, 2016).

Mervin was born Feb. 9, 1919, near Jet, Oklahoma, to Samuel J. and Iva Miller Troyer. The eldest of four children, which included Maurine and twins Wilbur and Wilma, he spent the first eleven years in Oklahoma. They attended the Milan Valley Mennonite Church. Mervin attended the Jet consolidated school through grade five. In 1930, the family moved to a farm west of Harper, KS, near Crystal Springs. Mervin completed his elementary education in Nebo's one room country school, in 1933. Four years later, he graduated with the 1937 class of Harper High School. The following winter he attended six weeks of Short Term Bible School at Hesston College.

After moving to Kansas, the family attended the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church east of Harper and later in Harper. In his early teens he committed his life to Christ and was baptized. He continued an active member at Pleasant Valley after marriage, serving on several boards and committees. He served for a time as Superintendent of the Primary-Junior Sunday School Department and also as a youth Sunday School teacher. He greatly enjoyed working with the children and youth of the church.

After high school graduation, Mervin helped his parents on the farm and spent three fall corn and bean harvest seasons working on a farm in Arthur, Illinois. On July 28, 1940, he married Dorothy King in Arthur. Mervin and Dorothy lived in Arthur for one year after their marriage and he worked as a shipping clerk for Progress Manufacturing Company.

In 1941 they moved to a farm near Duquoin, Kansas, where they welcomed children to their small rural home: Elnor Joan, Harlan Dale, who died at the age of two, and twins Donald Gene and Ronald Dean. The farm mostly produced wheat and some other small grains and some livestock including cows and Berkshire hogs. Mervin was very involved in the care of son Harlan, who was born handicapped and required several surgeries and hospitalizations. While the children were in elementary school, he supplemented his farm income by driving the Grandview Grade School bus.

After 18 years, they moved to the family farm west of Harper, where he enjoyed farming for another 22 years. In 1982, Mervin and Dorothy left the farm to live in Harper where they stayed until 1989. They then moved to Hesston, to an apartment at Schowalter Villa. Several years after his wife's death, Mervin moved to Assisted Living and later to Health Care at Schowalter Villa.

In retirement Mervin enjoyed working in the yard and gardening, often sharing garden produce with neighbors and friends. He spent hours doing woodwork projects, making tops and toys, or making chair risers for Villa residents and doing miscellaneous projects for Villa staff and the child care. He especially enjoyed working with children on craft projects, games, and just watching them play outside his window.

Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy in 2001, son Harlan Dale, grandson Darin Troy Stutzman, great-granddaughter Courtney Marie Troyer, great great-grandson Mikel Lee Maxim and his sister, Wilma Mast.

He is survived by children: Elnor J. (Don) Stutzman, Donald (Michelle) Troyer, and Ronald (Marie) Troyer; grandchildren, Derek (Serena) Stutzman, Dalton (Amy M.) Stutzman, Amy D. Stutzman, Amber (Cameron) Cook, April Lally, Deonna Troyer, Elizabeth (Rick) Decker, David Troyer, Sondra Knight, and Stephanie (Brian) Balog; 20 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, with the family receiving friends from noon until service time at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston. Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Cemetery, Harper. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Obituary: Mervin Troyer, 97, passed to his heavenly reward at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, on Friday, March 11, 2016.

Mervin was born Feb. 9, 1919 near Jet, Oklahoma to Samuel J. and Iva Miller Troyer. The eldest of four children, which included Maurine and twins Wilbur and Wilma, he spent the first eleven years in Oklahoma. They attended the Milan Valley Mennonite Church. Mervin attended the Jet consolidated school through grade five. In 1930, the family moved to a farm west of Harper, KS, near Crystal Springs. Mervin completed his elementary education in a one room country school, Nebo, in 1933. Four years later, he graduated with the 1937 class of Harper High School. The following winter he attended six weeks of Short Term Bible School at Hesston College.

After moving to Kansas, the family attended the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church east of Harper and later in Harper. In his early teens he committed his life to Christ and was baptized. He continued an active member at Pleasant Valley after marriage, serving on several boards and committees. He served for a time as Superintendent of the Primary-Junior Sunday School Department and also as a youth Sunday School teacher. He greatly enjoyed working with the children and youth of the church.

After high school graduation, Mervin helped his parents on the farm and spent three fall corn and bean harvest seasons working on a farm in Arthur, IL. On July 28, 1940, he married Dorothy King in Arthur, IL. Mervin and Dorothy lived in Arthur for one year after their marriage and he worked as a shipping clerk for Progress Manufacturing, Company.

In 1941 they moved to a farm near Duquoin, Kansas, where they welcomed children to their small rural home: [a daughter], Harlan Dale, who died at the age of two, and twins [sons]. The farm mostly produced wheat and some other small grains and some livestock including cows and Berkshire hogs. Mervin was very involved in the care of son Harlan, who was born handicapped and required several surgeries and hospitalizations. While the children were in elementary school, he supplemented his farm income by driving the Grandview Grade School bus.

After 18 years they moved to the family farm west of Harper, where he enjoyed farming for another 22 years. In 1982, Mervin and Dorothy left the farm to live in Harper where they stayed until 1989. They then moved to Hesston, to an apartment at Schowalter Villa. Several years after his wife's death, Mervin moved to Assisted Living and later to Health Care at Schowalter Villa.

In retirement Mervin enjoyed working in the yard and gardening, often sharing garden produce with neighbors and friends. He spent hours doing woodwork projects, making tops and toys, or making chair risers for Villa residents and doing miscellaneous projects for Villa staff and the child care. He especially enjoyed working with children on craft projects, games, and just watching them play outside his window.

Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy in 2001, son Harlan Dale, grandson Darin Troy Stutzman, great granddaughter Courtney Marie Troyer, great great grandson Mikel Lee Maxim and his sister, Wilma Mast.

He is survived by children: [Private]; grandchildren, [Private]; 20 great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, with the family receiving friends from noon until service time at Schowalter Villa Chapel, Hesston. Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Cemetery, Harper. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Contributor: Marcia BB (48173650) [names of living removed]