Mervyn G. Harms (1934-2018)
Mervyn G. Harms, 83, longtime business man and resident of Ellsworth, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. He was born, the youngest of five children, on May 17, 1934, on the family farm near Hildreth, Neb. to George Dirk and Fannie (Schmidt) Harms.
Merv graduated high school at Hildreth. He then received a degree in education with a minor in business from Kearney State. In 1962, he obtained his master’s degree.
On April 23, 1955 he married Patricia J. Clinebell in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were married 62 years.
Merv taught industrial arts, speech, typing, and business. He also coached girls’ volleyball. He went into school administration after earning his master’s degree. In 1971, he opened the Harms Insurance Agency after purchasing the Flanders and Croy Agencies. He later purchased the Novak agency then added real estate services.
Merv was always involved in his church. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ellsworth where he served as an elder.
Merv had a passion for flying. He took lessons over several years to get his license. He flew a Cessna 172, the same plane that two of his grandsons and one granddaughter later trained in. He was a charter member of the Bushton-Geneseo-Lorraine (BGL) flying club.
Family and friends were very important to Merv. His attendance at class reunions and family gatherings was a given. He loved playing pitch and poker, playing at least four days a week. It has been said that he didn’t know a stranger.
Merv is survived by his wife, Patricia of the home; daughter, Nancy Reed (Rex) of Mulvane; son, Douglas Harms (Connie) of Fort Lupton, Colo.; daughter, Cindy Harms Kasey of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren and four great- grandchildren (with three more on the way); sister, Elaine Stuehm (Lavern) of Kearney, Neb.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jacob Choitz.
Visitation is from 1-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth with family present from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral service is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday), Feb. 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth with burial following in the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Young Eagles EAA Chapter 1127 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
parsonsfh.com
