TAMPICO TORNADO

Thursday, August 16, 1934, 1;1

PASSED AWAY AFTER OPERATION – MERVYN GRAHAM DIED SUNDY IN HOSPITAL AT IRONWOOD MICHIGAN

The community was shocked and grieved to hear of the death Sunday of Mervyn Graham at the Grand View hospital in Ironwood, Mich. Mervyn had been a member of the CCC, stationed at Marenisco, Mich., for about three months and had liked the work real well. He had gained in weight and had been feeling fine until he was taken ill with an attack of appendicitis Wednesday morning and was taken to the hospital at Ironwood. His people were notified and immediately wired permission to operate the operation, which was thought to be successful, was performed. Thursday evening and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Young and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Love left Friday morning to be with him. He seemed to be improving when he died suddenly at 1:45 Sunday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Young and Mr. and Mrs. Love returned home Monday. The body arrived in Sterling Tuesday afternoon and was taken to the home of his mother where a short service was held Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 followed by a service at the Baptist church at 2:30.

Rev. Alan Douglas, pastor of the Baptist church had charge of the service and gave a very comforting message using as his text Job 1:2. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

During the service the male quartette, composed of Raymond Stevens, Frank Gerber, Ralph Carlson and Rev. Alan Douglas sang three numbers which Mervyn had sung with the quartette, “When You Know Jesus, Too,” “That Beautiful Land,” and “Wandering Child, O Come Home.” Mrs. R. F. Woods accompanied on the piano.

There was a large number of relatives and friends who attended the services of this young man who through his genial disposition had made many friends. The flowers were many and beautiful.

Burial was in the Tampico Memorial cemetery by the side of his father. Those who acted as pallbearers were: Vernon Rasmussen, Arlyn Pratt, John Law, Cecil Peterson, Keith Wheelock and Leonard Hard.

OBITUARY

Mervyn E. Graham was born March 20, 1915, at Modale, Iowa. He passed on at 1:45 P.M. on Sunday, August 12, 1934, at Grand View hospital in Ironwood, Mich. after an appendicitis operation followed by complications.

His father, Howard D. Graham preceded him in death March 17, 1923. The following year his mother brought him and his two brothers to Tampico where they made their home.

Mervyn attended the local grade and high schools, graduating from the latter with the class of 1932. He liked athletics and played with the high school basketball team. At an early age, he united with the Baptist Church and became a willing worker in church activities. He sang with the male quartette at the church and worked diligently in the B.Y.P.U.

He joined the CCC April 14, 1934, and was sent first to Ft. Sheridan. After three weeks, he was transferred to Gogebic Camp at Marenisco, Mich. where he was until just before his death.

Mervyn was of sunny disposition, a friend in both young and old, kind and thoughtful of those he loved. He was very capable in many ways. Perhaps his greatest charm lay in his love for music, in his singing happiness. He leaves a wide circle of friends who mourn his early decease.

Those who survive him are his mother, Mrs. Joe Young, his brothers, Chester and Darrell Graham and his stepfather, Mr. Joe Young.