Mervin Wesley Curtis

Mervin Wesley Curtis, 91, of Moses Lake, Wash., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008. He was at home with his wife, three daughters, and other family members nearby, and had a very peaceful passing.

Mervin was born May 30, 1917, at Waltham, Mass., to William Herbert and Pearl Violet (Ladd) Curtis.

“I was too young to remember whether I was born in a hospital or at home, or what time of day it was, but am certain I was born with a Memorial Day Wreath around my neck!” (Quote from him on May 9, 2008)

Mervin is survived by his wife, Georgia, at their home in Moses Lake, three daughters and three sons-in-law, Mike and Joyce Mulliken, Moses Lake, David and Janet Garrett, Selah, Nick and Donna Tommer, Ephrata. Five grandchildren; Dan Mulliken, Wenatchee, Chris Tommer, Ephrata, Hillary Garrett, Portland, Ore., Jada Tommer Molitor and husband, Dan, Tempe, Ariz., and Jeff Garrett, Bellingham, two sisters Geneva Garrett and Madeline Lauzier, Mexico, Maine, brother, Robert Curtis, Bucksport, Maine, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers’ Leon and Billy, and infant daughter, Judy Louise.

Mervin W. Curtis, being extremely patriotic, served his country during World War II in the South Pacific, and later volunteered for a special mission under General Frank D. Merrill. He received numerous citations, including the Bronze Star. He enjoyed attending the Merrill’s Marauders annual reunions, and communicating by e-mail with other WWII veterans when he could no longer travel.

As his military years came to an end and while recovering from cholera, he met the love of his life, Georgia Alberta Chick and they have shared short of 65 years of marriage which began in Maine, and moved to Washington state in 1954 to date.

Using his military veterans’ benefits, he attended the University of Maine as a forestry and wildlife conservation student. He didn’t care for botany or zoology, so he switched his major to civil engineering.

Mervin’s work history began very early in his life and culminated with his employment at the Department of Interior, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Ephrata, from 1951, until his retirement in December of 1981. Following his retirement he and Georgia enjoyed several years of traveling in their RV all over the United States.

Some of Mervin’s favorite activities were playing and teaching duplicate bridge. He started the first bridge club sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League while at the University of Maine. When he came to Ephrata in 1951, he continued in his passion for playing bridge and became a life master in 1954 at the age of 37. He enjoyed his involvement and serving on the board of directors of the Ephrata Senior Center. He also served as exalted ruler for the Ephrata Elks Lodge, and was a member of the Ephrata Masonic Lodge and the Ephrata Rotary International Club. He enjoyed his bowling league, golfing at Lakeview and Country Club, traveling and camping with his family.

Mervin and Georgia became involved in the Marriage Encounter and Cursillo activities. Mervin enjoyed anything having to do with meeting people, making new friends, and traveling. He fell in “love with California.” He fell in “love with New Zealand.” If he visited a place … he fell in “love with that place and the people he met.”

His niece wrote this in an e-mail just two days before his passing; “Uncle Mervin has been a strong figure in our family and when that light goes out, there will be a noticeable dimness in the corner of all of our lives that he has touched.” His response would be, “Tsk, tsk.” He will be greatly missed; he had a very big spirit and filled all those around him with humor, encouragement, wisdom and life! When asked what message he would leave his children and grandchildren, he said, “Your word is your bond. If you say you’ll do something, then do it.”

The family wishes to thank Dr. Graham, Annie Anderson, and the entire hospice team for their dedication and sincere care. A special thanks to Mark Bassett, the hospice chaplain, for going above and beyond. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Central Basin Home Health & Hospice (311 W 3rd, Moses Lake, WA 98837), or Salvation Army (310 S. Cedar St., Moses Lake, WA 98837.)

The Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 323 D Street, S.W., Ephrata; followed by a full Military Honors Service at the Ephrata Cemetery.