Mervin Bush

Mervin Lee Bush, 71, died with his family at hand on Jan. 8, 2009, in Mountain Home.

Funeral services, with military honors by Mountain Home Air Force Base, will be held on Saturday, Jan.17, at noon at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Viewing will be held one hour prior, beginning at 11 a.m.

Mervin was born in Richmond, Mo., on July 5, 1937.

In 1978 Mervin retired in Mountain Home from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant after serving his country for 24 years. After retirement, he began his own business -- Bush's Lawn Sprinkler Co.

"The things Mervin loved best were his family, and the great outdoors activities of camping, hunting, fishing and rafting," his family said.

Mervin volunteered at the Mountain Home Senior Center preparing federal and state taxes. He also volunteered at the Mountain Home Air Force Base Pharmacy.

He is survived by: his wife of 51 years, Irene; their three children, daughter Tina Marie Bush-Stoop and her husband, Kenneth Stoop, of Boise, daughter Debora Ann Mesmarian and her husband, Asghar Mesmarian, of Mountain Home, and Ronald Lee Bush of Boise; four grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, and one step-great-grandchild; his two sisters, Lola Sparks and Rhonda Woods and her husband, George Woods.

Mervin was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Lee Bush, his mother, Velma Louise Martin, and his brother, Keith Levan Bush.