Mervin E. Houser

Mervin E. Houser was born on May 23, 1923 in Daykin, Nebraska to Emil E. Houser and Mayme M. Kozak Houser.  His journey of faith started with his baptism at the Daykin United Methodist Church on May 30 ^th , 1956 by Minister LaRoy E. Seaver.  He continued his walk of faith by attending Methodist church services in Daykin and Fairbury until his death.

Mervin started his school education at Daykin Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1937. Mervin grew up on the farm helping his father with crop and livestock production.  He always talked about how hard threshing was, especially since he was short.  He said because of his short stature he had to throw a bundle a lot further than someone who was tall!  Mervin and his mother sold the farm in 1974 and moved to Daykin.  They enjoyed growing a large garden and sharing the produce. After moving to Daykin he drove to Fairbury and worked as a janitor at Swingsters for a number of years.  He enjoyed work and was a faithful employee.

He moved to Parkview Apartments in Fairbury in 2013.  He enjoyed the social aspect of apartment living and went to the Fairbury Senior Diner to enjoy the interaction with different people as well as participate in activities.  When he moved to apartment living he liked listening to country music on the Fairbury radio station and also listened to Czech music on his recorder.  He loved the national news on his TV and because of failed hearing the volume would always be on high.

Mervin was a quiet man but you could have great conversations with him one on one.  He would always show up to play cards with the Daykin card players, but was always content just to watch.  He liked to tell little jokes just to get a chuckle out of people.  Mervin was a worrier but never a complainer.  He tried to make the best of any situation.  He was never late for anything and you could always count on Mervin showing up at least a half hour early for church or any appointment.

Mervin loved to get mail and received dozens of donation letters daily to which he enjoyed supporting Veterans organizations.  If he received a dime, quarter or other money with the donation request he would send the money back. He loved to walk and did so up until the last few months.  He would walk from Parkview Apartments to the Fairbury Methodist Church and to other downtown Fairbury businesses.  He believed in natural health products.  Maybe the walks and the natural health products are the reason he enjoyed 98 years of productive life.

Mervin took care of his own affairs until the last few months.  He kept track of his checking account in a notebook and did the calculations long hand with no calculator.  If he was off even 2 cents it would put him in a tailspin. If his account did not balance he would ask the bank for help, however, this happened only a few times.  Again, remarkable for someone his age!

Faith in our Lord and Savior was a big part of Mervin’s life.  He was faithfully in church every Sunday.  If he could not attend church he listened to (3) sermons on his radio.  He read a chapter in the Bible every day and kept track of which chapter he read on a written list.  Mervin was eagerly awaiting to be united with Christ.

Mervin was able to live independently until the last few months when ill health put him in the hospital and then moved into Gardenside Health and Life.  He was happy and content to have someone take care of him and really appreciated the care that he was given at the facility.  The Lord called Mervin to his heavenly home on Tuesday, November 23 ^rd , 2021.

Preceding Mervin in death were his father, Emil E. Houser and mother, Mayme M. Houser, brother-in-law, Chuck Coatney.  He is survived by his younger sister, Beverly Coatney of Lincoln, Nebraska, niece, Julie Coatney of Peru, Nebraska, and nephew, Charles Coatney III of Omaha, Nebraska, and a host of friends who thought Mervin was a wonderful special person.

Services will be Monday, November 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Daykin, NE. Memorials will go to the United Methodist Church at Daykin. Burial in Eureka Cemetery, Daykin, NE. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.