James H. Mergy Sr.

James H. Mergy Sr. of Van Wert died at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born May 19, 1939, in Waterloo, Ind., the son of the late Paul and Bertha May (Miller) Mergy. He married Julia (Himburg) Mergy, who survives in Van Wert.

Other survivors include five children, Jamie (Shelly) Mergy Jr. of Marion, Paul (Joi) Mergy of Van Wert, Richard (Anita) Mergy of Merced, Calif., Amy (John) Ryder of Van Wert and Kristi Luich of Van Wert; three brothers, Robert Mergy of Corpus Christi, Texas, Terry Mewhorter of Columbia, S.C., and Tom Mewhorter of England; two sisters, Bessie Carlton of Kentucky and Penny King of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 11 grandchildren, Alek (Mandy) Mergy, Shawna Mergy, Nikki (Dorance) Cook, Amber (Brady) Stevens, Tyler (Bethany) Mergy, Shelby Lynn Mergy, Nick (Emily) Ryder, Tristan Mergy, Keith Mergy, Sammie Mergy and Dani Mergy; and six great-grandchildren, Lexy Luich, Jayda Vibbert, Maddison Mergy, Drew Cook, Julius Cook and Elijah Ryder.

Mr. Mergy was a retired electrical engineer who worked at Life Star Rescue in Van Wert. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert and was involved with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 40 years. He also loved woodworking.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 22, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Phillip Zielinski officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 9-11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center or the Van Wert County Animal Protective League.

Arrangements were handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert.

Online condolences may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.