VESTABURG, Mich. – Mervin J. Bussell, 96, passed away Dec. 13, 2014, at Green Acres Assisted Living, Greenville, Mich. He was born Sept. 7, 1918, on the family farm near Carson City, Mich., to Edward and Valeria Edmonds Bussell. On June 25, 1941, in Lakeview, he married Norma Edwards, who survives. Shortly after their marriage, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Sonarman Second Class, and he was stationed in the Florida Keys before he was deployed to the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was a life member of VFW Post #5065 in Sheridan. His working career started at the former Dairyland Cooperation Creamery in Carson City, and then took him to the retail grocery business, several agribusinesses, real estate brokerage, investing and banking. He and Norma have been members of the First Congregational Church in Stanton, Mich., since 1953. Also surviving are four sons: John (and spouse Linda), Stanton; Bill (and spouse Chris), Grand Haven, Mich.; Tom (and spouse Barb), Warsaw; and Jerry (and spouse Cheryl) Saginaw, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Harold (and spouse Helen) Edwards; and three sisters-in-law: Elaine, Francis and Shirley Edwards. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Edna Johnson, Ileen McLaughlin and Evelyn Kochensparger; and two brothers, George and Walter Bussell. The family appreciated the affectionate care provided in his later days by Green Acres Assisted Living in Greenville and Spectrum Health Hospice. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, 305 N. Camburn St., Stanton, with Pastor Jamie Nichols officiating. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Brigham Funeral Chapel, 413 E. Gilson St., Edmore. ***** Memorials to the First Congregation Church, P.O. Box 926, Stanton, MI, or Montcalm Community College Foundation, 2800 College Drive, Sidney, MI 48885. Condolences may be sent via www.brighamfuneralchapel.com
