Mervin Lawrence Carver

Mervin Carver, 79, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

He was born September 20, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas the son of Charles and Lois (Hiller) Carver. A 1947 graduate of Seaman High School, he attended Washburn University before serving in the US Navy stationed in San Diego, California. Mervin married Jean Fischer of Waverly, Kansas and they had three children, Gwendolyn, Richard and Bradley. The family moved to Shawnee, Kansas in 1963.

Mervin began his career traveling Western and Central Kansas representing The Meyer-Blanke Company selling processing equipment to the dairy industry. In 1972 he purchased The Williams Engineering Company in Kansas City, Kansas, now known as The Williams-Carver Company, Inc. With this leap of faith, he became a successful competitor in the Food Processing and Industrial Refrigeration industry that continues to this day through his children.

One of Mervin's greatest joys was supporting his children in their various school activities whether musical or sport related. He was a fixture at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School yelling for the Cougars, a tradition that has been carried on through his five grandchildren. He was a long time member of the Overland Park Church of Christ.

Mervin Carver was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lois Carver; brothers Edgar and Richard; and sister Rosella. He is survived by his wife Jean of the home; daughter Gwen, Overland Park, Kansas; sons Rich (Carrie) and Brad (Liza), both of Shawnee, Kansas; granddaughters Erin, Caitlin and Lauren; grandsons Steve and Johnny; sister Wilma (Erich) of Topeka, Kansas; and brother Bernard "Sparky" (Karolyn) of Jefferson City, Missouri; and nieces, nephews and cousins whom he all loved dearly.

The Carver family wishes to thank Johnson County MedAct and the ICU nurses at Shawnee Mission Medical Center for their efforts, compassion and support.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Journey of Faith fund at the church.

Visitation and Memorial Service

A private burial on Saturday, February 28, 2009 will precede a 1:30 p.m. memorial service at the Overland Park Church of Christ, 119th and Pflumm in Overland Park, Kansas. Following the memorial, you are welcome to visit with the family in the foyer.