Mervin Peter Churchill
November 17, 1941 - November 24, 2024
In Loving Memory
Mervin Peter Churchill
Mervin Peter Churchill passed away at the age of 83 years on November 24th at his home in Falkland, BC. Merv was born on November 17th, 1941 in Vernon, BC.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years -Dorothy, daughters Julie and Jackie (Brian), and son Jason (Kim), his seven grandchildren Brandon (Katelyn), Shy-Ann (Clancy), Sheridan (Vito), Melissa (Travis), Cole (Krystie), Callie (Cam), Carter and eight great-grandchildren, Odin, Payton, Corbin, Luke, Reese, Lena, Linden and Kinsley. His sisters Sylvia (Den), Carol and Melva (Rob).
He was predeceased by his parents JD and Margaret, his daughter Heather, sister Lorna, brothers Larry, Darwin and Vern, and niece Jodie.
Merv grew up in Falkland on his family’s farm but later moved to the other end of the block and built his own home which he still lived in until his passing. He started out working for his dad at JD Churchill Sawmills and later purchased a logging truck from his Dad’s closing sale to begin a career hauling logs. After years of hauling logs, he decided to open a tire shop and service center, catering to his lifelong friends in the forest industry. His small home based shop lead to him purchasing the Esso station in Falkland and offering more services to the public. Merv sold his service station and began concentrating on his road construction business and his small farm, when he retired is probably not a date you can pin down because he never stopped.
His life’s passion was the Falkland Stampede, which started at age fourteen holding a barn dance to raise money for new corrals at the rodeo grounds. His dedication to the community would continue for the next nearly 70 years with various roles in the community including Falkland Stampede manager and ending just six hours before his passing as he auctioneered a fundraiser in the community hall.
Merv was chosen as Committee Man of the Year for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Assoc. in 1982, was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for community service and was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2013. Merv was instrumental in almost every project in Falkland including the Curling Rink, Community Church, Historical Park, skating rink, and the list goes on.
Merv and Dot spent their golden years mostly in Falkland with winter breaks in Yuma, which he loved very much. He enjoyed golfing and could sometimes be spotted in the casino, but his true joy was being around his family. There was just nothing that made him happier.
The family wishes to invite everyone to attend his celebration of life on December 14th starting off at the Falkland Stampede Grounds at 1:00 ( Merv would say “Dress warm, it could be colder than a well diggers ass out there”). The family, and those who feel they wish to attend, will then inter him at the Falkland Cemetery while others can make their way to the Falkland Community Hall for a social. In true Merv fashion, proceeds of the bar will go towards the Falkland Community Assoc. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Canadian Rodeo Historical Association (Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame) in care of [email protected]
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 29
We were the lucky ones who were friends and neighbors with Merv & Dot. in Yuma. His sense of humour never failed. We have several memories that I am sure the family will also have.
Go “Pro” style that you will always be.
Hugs to all
Jim & Marietta Spencer
The Poopsters
Condolences to Dot Jackie, Julie and Jason
God just got another cowboy to help round up the horses
😢😢😢😢
Marguerite and Charlie
A fine example of a life well lived, we will miss you Merv
Our condolences goes out to the whole family.
Merv was an amazing man. We always enjoyed spending time with him when we came up to visit Oma n Opa. He had a heart of gold and always welcome everyone in with open arms!
We are truly thankful for all the time he put in for Oma and Opa while they were up there. He always made sure they were well taking care of along with everyone else up there!
The family has lost a huge staple and he will truly be missed! We loved you always Merv!
Love
Travis & Stephanie Cowan
I will always have fond memories of Merv. My deepest condolences to the family. Falkland will never be the same without his presence. Rest in Peace.
Sincere condolences from Carol Stratton, Diana McCarthy and Brook McCarthy. Merv was a wonderful person and will be missed by many in our community and beyond. Hugs!
He was a great guy. Always smiling . He’s going to be missed.
Absolutely heartbreaking news. My deepest condolences to Dot, Jackie, Julie and Jason. Merv had the biggest most generous heart and had a deep and true love for his family and community. The *unofficial Mayor of Falkland* as Brian and I also called him. He will be deeply and forever missed.
Merv was staple of my hometown, a person who always just was there. we all knew him, knew his name and had some personal story about him he always had a smile and a moment for everyone.. He was bigger than life as a child to me, a strong firm hand as a teenager and a mentore, & a leader in his ways once I was older.
They will not and do not make men this anymore 💔 we lost a legend
Mervin was such a fun loving character who always brought a smile to my face. Falkland has lost a great man who advocated for his community and the rodeo world throughout his entire life. Sincere sympathies to Dot, Jason, Julie and Jackie and their families especially and to Pip, Carol and Melva and their families. May the great man Rest in Peace. Love and hugs to all . Love Penney
We are so heart-broken, we are hurting and we will miss the hell out of him …. Mervin was one of a kind, there will be no other … Ted and I feel very honored, and humbled and blessed to have been fortunate to have known this ‘great man’ We send our deepest sympathy to the Churchill Family, extended family, friends, and the many many people that he touched over the years. One of the BEST, and this VOID will be felt everywhere. RESPECT to the man of the Falkland Rodeo .. … all our love, no words, just know that we feel this loss very deeply.
We spent such wonderful times with Dot and Merv, The winters down south so many laughs and so many memories. We will miss him terribly he was one of a kind. Due to me having a stroke we will be unable to attend his Memorial but our hearts are with Dot and family at this heartbreaking time.
RIP Merv.
We are both so saddened to hear of merv passing. Jim enjoyed helping him out in all the little projects he needed help with
I was so lucky as I got to spend abit of time talking and laughing with merv Saturday Evening.
Our love and thoughts go out to Dorthy,Julie.jackie,Jason and your families 💖
Deepest sympathy on you husband,father,friend,uncle,grampa and a huge part of Falkland😢💖
GodBless all family and friends Merv was a great guy I LOVE FALKLAND ❤️💕🙏🙏
Mervyn was special- an amazing man who got things done! As newcomers to Falkland a few years back we always got a welcoming tease and encouragement from him.Will be sadly missed.Falkland will certainly not be Falkland without Merv’s being around.
Mervyn was special- an amazing man who got things done! As newcomers to Falkland a few years back we always got a welcoming tease and encouragement from him.Will be sadly missed.Falkland will certainly not be Falkland without Merv’s being around.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the death of a man like Merv, is like a library burning down. And there was only one copy of a lot of the “books” that we just lost.
I’m greatly saddened by the news of his loss; but I am heartened by the possibility of seeing him again after “the trumpet blows”.
Dot, Julie, Jackie and Jason and families
Our deepest condolences to you all at this time but we know you all have the greatest memories to keep you going. He was a great man and always be in all of our memories. Jim and Dee Cox
We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the whole beautiful family. Know how much we feel best to know him as a hightlight in our lives. He was such a most marvelest man to bless our short time of knowing him.We will always remenber him as a ray of sunshine to everyone who had the chance to meet him. So sadly we will miss him and sending love to all his family and friends. He was such a GOOD MAN.
Our condolences to Dot, Julie, Jackie and Jason. Mervin was a one of a kind. He was one of the first friends my dad met when we moved to Falkland so many years ago and he was a big part of our family when we were young. He was a true friend and was there for dad on dad’s 90th birthday. He was an amazing community member and has accomplished so much but his biggest accomplishment has been to raise such a beautiful family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
We were so sorry to hear of Merv’s passing. He was a true keeper of our community’s heritage, proudly connecting us to our past and helping to keep our traditions alive. As the heart of the Falkland Stampede, his larger-than-life presence and unique personality brought us all together in meaningful ways.
Merv will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Please know our thoughts are with the Churchill family during this difficult time.
Great memories of my dad and yours with all of us there, as early as 1968. I look forward to seeing you and your family every May.
🐎 RIP Merv,
fond memories, the millions of tires you fixed…the Curling Bonspeils, you were everywhere!
Ty for your kindness
Pauline Chabot
CTS sends condolences from Alberta 🥀
Words seem inadequate to express our sadness. Our deepest condolences to the whole family. Merv was such a great man and will be missed terribly.
You are in our thoughts.
Sending our love and hugs
Steve and Lorraine
Our deepest condolences to Dot, Julie, Jackie and Jason and all of the family.
We both have good memories and a lot of respect for Mervin. He was one of those larger than life people who touched many lives. May you be kind to yourselves now and take comfort in your memories and love.
We will be thinking of all of you.
Worked at Kal Tire years (many) ago Merv was a great customer and friend his son born the same
time as my son Ryan we ran into each other at the Vernon Hospital. He walked and talked and
had the same humor as John Wayne. Sorry to hear of his passing but is does sound like him
doing a fund raiser just a few hours before he passed – Frank Sinatra song ” I did it My Way”
would fit his style!!
Respected and admired this man . So proud to call him a true friend . My sincere condolences to the whole family .
My cousin Mervin was an amazing, loving character. Between locking me in the cow barn as a child, to enjoying his company and anecdotes throughout my adult years. I will miss him.
Our condolences to the Churchill family. Merv has definitely left a wonderful legacy. He was a community builder in so many ways.
We send our hugs and prayers to all of you during this difficult time💝
Arden and Tracey Thacker
Merv was a great human being. So thoughtful and generous. I have some wonderful memories of him. Condolences to all the Churchills and extended family.