Stanley Mervar

Stanley F. Mervar, 100, of Indianapolis passed away July 14, 2014. He was born in Indianapolis, IN on November 1, 1913 to Joseph Sr. and Mary (Gerbic) Mervar. Stanley lived a long and fulfilled life that enriched the lives of not only his family but friends and people he would meet every day. He loved his wife, Alma, very much and was her primary care giver in the remaining years. They took many trips together to various places throughout their many years together. From their 4 children came 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandkids! Stanley's working career started with his father's grocery business. From there, he was a supervisor at P.R. Mallory, the state highway department. He also worked for many years as a job placement specialist at Business Men's Clearing House where he helped many people find a new career. Stanley loved building things with wood, fishing at various places, with his favorite being Eagle Creek Reservoir. He was an avid golfer into his late 80's. A hip transplant at 89 slowed him down a little, but also gave him new life. His most memorable golf experiences were getting a hole in one and the time one of his grandkids ran over his leg with a golf cart! He loved his grandchildren and the many times he spent seeing them and the many great grandkids they produced. He was a big sports fan of many sports and played many in his youth, as well as coaching both little league baseball and basketball. His shining moment was as coach of a men's KSKJ basketball team that won their tournament. Stanley touched the lives of many people and was also the second father to six of his grandchildren when their dad passed away at a very young age. He always was giving tips to his grandkids and great grandkids on things about life and how to hit a baseball or shoot a basketball! We'll all miss him very much, but know he's playing and maybe even coaching in the best arena - Heaven, with his loving wife and creator. Stanley was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alma Mervar; sisters, Pauline, Valeria and Mary; brothers, Al and Joe and parents, Joseph and Mary. He is survived by his daughters, Mary and JoAnna; sons, Bob and Dan; sister, Theresa; 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 21at 11 am with visitation from 9:30 am until Mass in St. Christopher Catholic Church, 5301 W. 16th St., Speedway. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209 OR St. Paul Hermitage Retirement Center, 1402 Southern Ave., Beech Grove, IN 46107. ******************************************************************************** Stanley F. Mervar 11/01/1913 - 07/14/2014 Our dear one-hundred year old, Syanley Mervar, left us very peacefully on the evening of July 14th. Stanley had spent his day in his usual way, eating, observing his environment, visiting with his daughter, Mary, in the early afternoon, sitting in the sun on the patio, exchanging his usual funny quips with staff and visitors, and talking about one of his favorite subjects, which was Haughville, the Westside Slovenian neighborhood occupied by immigrants from Eastern Europe, where life centered around Holy Trinity Catholic Church, its Social Hall, the Slovenian National Home, and the many foundries located in the area, which provided work for many of those hard-working, faith-filled people. Stanley, baptized "Stanislaus", at Holy Trinity Church, was the son of Joseph and Alma Mervar. Stanley had two brothers, Albert and Joseph, who are both deceased. He attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Washington High School, where he played football and baseball. Stanley enjoyed recalling his childhood and talking about his happy memories of helping his father with a grocery. Stanley said his father raised poultry and produce on their good sized property; he remembered his father killing the poultry and his mother "de-feathering" the chickens and bleeding them over a barrel. He was very proud of the fact that he could help the family raise potatoes, tomatoes and other produce and then deliver them, along with the chicken and eggs, to their customers. One got the impression that Stanley was a very proud and dutiful son. Stanley met the love of his life, Alma at a dance. He smiled as he recalled the circumstances. Stanley was very much connected witht he national life style centered in Haughville. Those social halls were made for socializing! Stanley loved dancing and he loved to polka. He and Alma were married in 1941 and were blessed with four children, who survive. They are Daniel, Bob, Mary and Joanna. Alma passed away on October 24, 2010, after 69 years of marriage. Stanley worked at Link Belt for a while and he retired in December 1999, from Business Men's Clearing House. During retirement he enjoyed fishing and golf. We will miss Stanley and his cute sense of humor. He enjoyed interacting with others, and was an active participant in outings. Often when asked how he was, he would respond, "Sober!" May he rest in peace!