Mervin F. Smith's Obituary
Mervin F. Smith, age 91, of Pinckneyville, IL, began his new life with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 6:31 p.m. in Marshall Browning Hospital, DuQuoin, IL. Mervin was born on March 16, 1925 in Perry County, IL, a son to Fred and Jeanette E. (Egbert) Smith. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy having served as a Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class in World War II. On June 29, 1947, he married Helen Hallbauer in Pinckneyville, IL and she survives. They had celebrated 69 years of marriage this summer. Their marriage and relationship has been a model for his children and many others around them. Mervin was a farmer, coal miner and a remarkable husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Above all, he was a strong believer in Jesus Christ, which is the legacy he leaves to all of his family. He was a member of The Gathering, Coulterville, IL and the Farm Bureau and had led the Denmark Danes 4-H Club for many years. Mervin had also been the devoted caretaker for many years at Cottom Cemetery, Hopewell Cemetery and Galum Presbyterian Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Helen Smith of Pinckneyville, IL; four children, William "Bill" (Sally) Smith of Jackson, TN, Robert "Bob" (Pat) Smith of Cutler, IL, Kathryn (Kevin) Kuhnert of Pinckneyville, IL; and James "Jim" Smith of Pinckneyville, IL; an honorary son, Shinya Miyata of Chandler, AZ; nine grandchildren on whom he had great impact, Brett (Janeen) Smith, Clay (Joy) Smith, Jennie (Dusty) Hughes, Kent Smith, Lee Smith, Jeff (Leah) Wagner, Aaron (Erin) Kuhnert, Nicole (L.J.) Heisner and Megan (Dustin) Warder; and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, Jarett, Zachary, Ian and Cassi Smith; Caleb, Joshua, Emma, Thomas, Will, Laura and Grace Smith; Hannah, Seth, Micah and Jonah Hughes; Nathan Smith; Stephen, David and Andrew Wagner, Blayne and Blakelyn McCarty; Kadence and Kaitlyn Kuhnert; Jacob, Caden and Sadie Heisner; Nicolas and Halle Warder. Mervin has touched the lives of both family and friends, so he is survived by many others who have loved him through his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Oren Smith; a sister-in-law, Lois Smith; a sister, Dorothy Schott; and a brother-in-law, Robert Schott. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Galum Presbyterian Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL with military graveside rites by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, IL. Friends may call at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to his church, The Gathering or to Cottom Cemetery. Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL is in charge of arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Mervin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mervin?
Share a story where Mervin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mervin you’ll never forget.
How did Mervin make you smile?