Mervin Meredith Coffman, 71

Mervin Meredith Coffman, son of Melvin and Maxine (Stoner) Coffman, was born on October 27, 1951, in Atlantic, Iowa. After graduating from Shelby-Tennant Consolidated School, he enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, Mervin enrolled in the Immanuel School of Nursing and was a member of the last graduating class in 1974 to earn a registered degree in nursing from Immanuel’s 80-plus year tradition of teaching. Most of his career in nursing was spent caring for patients in the intensive care unit.
Mervin’s wit, memory, and intellect made for an amazing storyteller. He also played a mean game of cribbage.
Mervin M. Coffman passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. He had reached the age of 71 years, 2 months, and 26 days.
Mervin was preceded in death by his parents. His memory will be kept alive by his three surviving siblings, Meredith Coffman and wife Marilyn of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Lynda Wahling and husband Eugene of Shelby, Iowa, and Laurae Kingsbury and husband Donald of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mervin had many close friends and staff who cared for and visited him during his years at Salem Lutheran Home. There are no words to express how grateful and blessed we are for staff and friends who were involved in so many ways.
Mervin’s heart of this world may have failed but his spirit was stubbornly strong:
When peace, like a river attendeth my way.
When sorrow like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Burial of ashes will be held in the Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, Iowa, at a later date. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Inc. in Shelby, Iowa, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.