Charles, Mervin (1952-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jul 6 p. 2

Birth date: 1952

text of obituary:

VSer from Pennsylvania Drowns at Beach In Mobile, Alabama

Salunga, Pa. — (EMBMC) — Mervin Charles, a 20-year-old youth from Columbia, Pa., in voluntary service in Mobile, Ala., drowned accidentally June 25 at a beach in Mobile.

He and a church fellowship group were visiting the beach when a sudden storm caused the waves to overwhelm Charles, who had been wading in the water. It took companions 15 minutes to rescue him.

Charles worked in the receiving department of a hospital in Mobile. He was to have completed his two-year VS assignment in January.

According to Jerry Mack, assistant directory of Voluntary Service at Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, Salunga, Pa., Mervin had been very active in the life of the VS unit and of the church. He taught Sunday school class, served as church treasurer, did community visitation, and was to have helped with Bible school June 26-30.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Charles, Columbia, Pa., Mervin was a member of the Columbia Mennonite Mission.