Mervell D. Bumgarner

Services for Mervell will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2015 with Rev. Todd Bumgarner and Rev. Diane Ryder officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Geneva Public Cemetery. Public visitation will begin Tuesday, 2 pm until 8 pm with family greeting friends from 6 to 8, at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska Memorials are directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Geneva Rescue Unit. God, Country, Family and Self. This was the motto Mervell Bumgarner kept with him at all times in his vehicle. He certainly lived it for 91 years. Mervell Dwayne Bumgarner was born on December 5, 1923 on the family farm in Strang Nebraska to Ellis (Kitty) and Ethel (Rocole) Bumgarner. He passed away on September 4th at Heritage Crossings. Mervell attended Strang School in Strang Nebraska K-12 and graduated with the class of 1941. Mervell served in the Navy from 1944-1946. He attended Radio School at Madison, Wisconsin and was a radioman 2nd class when he was discharged after serving on the USS Oceanus. He was proud to have gone to the Navy with his longtime friend Earl Houck and told how he was able to tether to Earl's ship to spend time with him. Mervell married: Betty Lou Caton on August 15, 1948 at the Congregational Church in Geneva, Nebraska. They later celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the same church in 1998. To this union was born three daughters and one son: Charlotte Bumgarner of Geneva, Carolyn Lees of Grand Island, Thomas Bumgarner of Strang and Sharon Lauber of Geneva. At an early age he began to work with cattle and became more involved rapidly. He and son Tom started Bumgarner Land and Cattle Company in 1973. This was expanded on two different occasions. Mervell started buying cattle for other people in about 1960 and this grew along with the feeding operation. He made many friends in several states and prized their friendships. He attended his first UNL football game in 1962 and had season tickets ever since. In the following years he developed a passion for football and enjoyed a group of friends consisting of 5 couples and Deb Oman, known as Football Unlimited. They traveled to many away games and met before and after every home game at their office downtown. Mervell was a charter member of VFW Post 7102 in Geneva, Nebraska, member of the American Legion, and a member of Masonic Lodge #79 for over 50 years. Besides serving as Master of the Lodge, he also had the privilege of helping lay the cornerstone for the present Masonic Temple and also the honor of conferring the Master Degree on his son, Tom. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Sesostris Temple, Jesters, the Royal Order of Scotland, and Eastern Star for over fifty years and also served as Guardian for Job’s Daughters. As a member of the United Church of Christ in Geneva for over 60 years, he was especially proud to have celebrated his50th anniversary there. Exeter Feeders and Breeders was another favorite organization that he belonged to for over 50 years. Through these organizations he developed many relationships and powerful memories. Anyone that was close friends with him knew he was all about relationships. If you banter back and forth with him you had a friend forever. He and his wife Betty had an open door policy. People of all ages were welcome at any time and usually heard some great stories. Even in his 90s he loved to take you on a tour in the country. God, Country, Family and self; a great way to have lived an amazing life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis (Kitty) and Ethel, his brother Russell and his wife Betty. He leaves behind his precious family; Charlotte Bumgarner of Geneva, Carolyn and Doug Lees of Grand Island, Thomas and Vicki Bumgarner of Geneva, Sharon and Jerry Lauber of Geneva, his grandchildren Jennifer and Brent Blau of Deshler, Chad Bumgarner of Strang, Todd and Megan Bumgarner of Lincoln, Jessica and Justin Brinkmeyer of Lincoln and Josh and Maggie Lees of Clay Center. He had nine great grandchildren; McKenzie Blau, Brooklyn Blau, Treyton Blau, Iris Bumgarner, Lydia Bumgarner, Vivian Bumgarner, Kayin Brinkmeyer, Kendyn Brinkmeyer and Jack Lees. He will also be missed by other close relatives and many friends from many, many states.

Tributes

Mervell D. Bumgarner

December 5, 1923 - September 4, 2015