Obituary of Mervin L. Belger

Mervin “Burly” Belger, age 91 of 720 E. Washington Street, Iowa City died Saturday, November 27, 2004, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following complications of an aneurysm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Burial with Military Honors will be at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Iowa City with the Msgn. Jim Parizek, Reverend Rudolph Juarez and Reverend Jeff Belger officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Monday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where a parish rosary will be said at 7pm. Memorials donations can be made in Mervin’s memory to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolences may be sent for Mervin’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Mervin was born November 14, 1913, in Parnell, Iowa the son of John Leonard Belger and Anna (Morgan) Belger. His family moved to Iowa City in 1914, where Mervin attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1931. He married Mary Hildebrand on August 21, 1941 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. During WWII, Sergeant Belger served in the United States Army in the European Theater. Returning to Iowa City, Mervin was employed by the University of Iowa Physical Plant for over forty years. His last position and favorite was facilities coordinator at the home for the University’s President Sandy Boyd and his family. Following his retirement in 1979, Mervin joined his wife, Mary working part time at the George L. Gay Funeral Home. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. He was professed a Secular Francisca on August 11, 1993. He was an active member of the Secular Franciscan Holy Trinity Fraternity in Dubuque. He was active in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mervin participated in the Low Vision Support Group at the Iowa City Senior Center, and for those who knew him well, knew his love of the Iowa Hawkeye’s and the Boston Red Sox! His family includes his daughter, Nancy Belger of Iowa City, and several nieces and nephews. Mervin was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; son, John, daughter, Joanie; sisters, Rita Flannery and Maxine Mottet; brothers, Ray Belger, Ivan Belger, Vic Belger, and two infant brothers, Glen and Francis Belger. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Mervin’s family and his services.