Date of Birth: August 18, 1929
Date of Death: June 3, 2022
Mervin Jacob Sies of Melville, SK, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the age of 92 years.
Mervin was born to Samuel and Katherine Sies on Aug. 18, 1929, on the family farm southwest of Melville. He attended Reimer School until Grade 8, then began farming with his father and brother. He purchased his first quarter of land in 1952. Mervin met Georgina Young in February 1956. After a brief courtship, they were married on Aug. 24, 1956, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Melville. Their marriage was blessed with four children.
Mervin was actively involved as a volunteer in numerous organizations and served on many boards, including Reimer School, the rural telephone company, Sask. Wheat Pool, Canadian Agriculture Movement, Melville Seniors’ Centre, East Central Saskatchewan Seniors Inc., Melville Legion, Western Development Museum/Yorkton Threshermen’s Club, Melville Heritage Museum and Melville North Cemetery. Mervin and Georgina moved to Melville in February of 1990. In September 2019, Mervin moved into St. Paul Lutheran Home due to failing health.
Mervin loved to spend time in his garden. Their back yard was home to a vegetable garden, fruit trees and a raspberry patch. He loved to tinker and built numerous inventive creations, including an irrigation system for his much beloved garden. Over the years, Mervin enjoyed playing ball, curling, bowling and horseshoes and also loved playing cards and games with friends and family. Mervin had strong opinions and enjoyed a lively debate.
Mervin was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Katherine (nee Haas) Sies; his sisters, Regina (in infancy) and Irene; his brothers and their wives, Victor (in infancy), Richard (Kathe), Gordon (Rose), Arthur (Lillian) and Winston. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife,
Georgina; his children, Kathleen (Hugh) Zerr, Sharon (Brian) Piller, Stuart (Kathleen) Sies and Betty (Todd) Armbruster; eleven grandchildren, Diane Zerr, Paul (Lisa) Zerr, Kristopher (Meghan) Schmidt, Rebecca (Kyle) Flaman, Sarah Schmidt (Adam Bunz), Jordan (Jacklyn) Sies, Nolan (Raeanne) Sies, Brianna (Kyle) Ward, Bettina Sies (Eric Asbjornhus), Jillian Armbruster (Landon Ulmer) and Ryan (Breanne) Armbruster; sixteen great-grandchildren, Rielles and Mac Gibbons, Ava and Owen Schmidt, Leila and Deacon Flaman, Jayla,
Scottie and Ally Sies, Benson and Ryker Sies, Nyah, Mila and Leda Ward, Blake Ulmer and Charlie Armbruster; his sister, Marion Harper (Glen Buettner) and sisters-in-law Elaine Sies and Margaret Sedgwick; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mervin’s funeral service was held Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, with the Rev. Rick Gibson officiating. Marion Harper read scripture,
Sharon Piller recited a tribute poem, and the eulogy was presented by Stuart Sies. Organist Gaylene Matthews led in the hymns “In the Garden”, “How Great Thou Art” and “God Be with You”. A special song called “Grandpa”, which was a loving collaboration by all the grandkids and rewritten by Becky Flaman, was sung by Sarah Schmidt. Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery with Diane Zerr, Paul Zerr, Nolan Sies, Jordan Sies, Kristopher Schmidt, Ryan Armbruster and Bryan Sies acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
