My Uncle Mervin was a very special man. I grew up in Oregon without Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles near by. I missed having those family ties. When I was 17 our family traveled to the Midwest to visit relatives. It was the first time I had met Mervin and his wife Jean. I remember thinking he was a very handsome man and I was fascinated with all his travels abroad in the Navy. My sister’s and I entertained ourselves viewing all his travel souvenirs. Years later Mervin and I started conversing on the phone and I was making plans for a visit. I finally set a date and flu in to see Merv. We had a great time talking about everything including racing, family history. He even took me to see his #15 car and had me sit in it. He treated me to the Newton, Iowa famous “Dixie Burger�. We then visited Jean’s gravesite. Then we decided to take a road trip to Missouri. We picked up his cousin Pearl in Springfield and proceeded on our way. We made the same trip on two different occasions. I met his 1st grade teacher and a great Aunt. I saw my great Grandparents house where my Grandmother was born, the house where my mother was born and the family house in Cameron, MO. He showed me my Grandparents graves in Cameron and My fathers and other Grandmothers in Hartville MO. It was an experience of a lifetime for me. I saw history that I would have never seen without Mervin. I can’t express enough, how grateful I am to have had some time to spend with Mervin and that he was kind enough to share so much history with me. Because of him I was able to hear, see and experience more family history than I would have without him. I will value those experiences forever and I remember Mervin always. Thank you Mervin for you kindness and great friendship! I love you and miss you.
