Mervyn Moberly | News, Sports, Jobs - The Freeman Journal

Mervyn E. Moberly, 86, of Boswell, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023, at 11 PM at Cumberland Pointe Nursing Home in West Lafayette. Mervyn was born on November 21, 1936, in Webster City, IA to the late Maurice and Eunice (Karr) Moberly. His father passed away when he was only eight years old and his mother celebrated 100 years when she passed away in 2003.

Merv married Margaret (Hiebert) on December 21, 1955, in Winona, MO. Margaret was a great helpmeet to her husband before passing away on December 20, 2017, just one day from their 61st anniversary.

Merv and Margaret spent all their years serving the Lord in establishing or rebuilding Christian Church/Church of Christ congregations in Missouri and Iowa and preaching in Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois and Colorado. As a team Merv preached while Margaret worked tirelessly with the young children in the church. During their years in ministry, they made hundreds of friends and Merv baptized hundreds in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins. After 52 years of preaching, Merv and Margaret retired from full time ministry and moved to Boswell, Indiana from Pacific, Missouri to be near their daughter Mary (Morris) and her husband John, who was the minister at the Boswell Church of Christ. During his retirement Merv continued serving Christ as a Sunday School teacher and still filled the pulpit whenever asked. Merv taught his final class on May 1st at the Chestnut Street Church of Christ, Hoopeston, IL. His last lesson was from the book of Revelation teaching that Christians must be faithful unto death.

In the 1960's Merv was able to work on an archeological dig in Israel, also traveling in the countries of Jordan and Egypt. In the 1970's he taught many Dale Carnegie courses. During his entire ministry he spoke at churches all throughout the Midwest for Revivals and other evangelistic events.? While serving in Iowa he was actively involved in the mission work of CEM (Christian Evangelistic Mission) where he was a board member for many years.

Merv loved making his hand wrapped gemstone jewelry. He and Margaret loved having family vacations in the mountains of North Carolina hunting for various gemstones, seriously washing many trays of natural dirt looking for rubies and sapphires from Mason Mountain Mine in Franklin, North Carolina. Merv did much of his own lapidary work of grinding and polishing different stones and then performing his own wire wrapping to enhance their beauty. Many of his rubies and sapphires were cut into works of art by good friends Tom and Ginger Johnson, owners of the Mason Mountain Mine. They became good friends over the years. Merv and Margaret enjoyed going to festivals and fairs to sell their high-quality gemstone jewelry. They loved selling their wares at the Covered Bridge Festival in Bridgeton, Indiana. We know the friends they made at the festival will miss them dearly, especially their dear friends, Alex and Kathy Madson.

Merv also served as a substitute teacher at Benton Central High School in Benton County, Indiana. He substituted there for several years and was well known by many of the students. Even after he retired from his part-time teaching many of his former students would fondly seek him out and speak to him if they saw him.

Surviving are four children, Mary (John) Morris of Boswell, Mark (Kelly) Moberly of Webster City, IA, Miriam (Mike) Johnson of Mountain View, MO, and Malcam (Debra) Moberly of Bullhead City, AZ. Also surviving are grandchildren Jenny Perez, Brent Morris, Brian Morris, Jethro Moberly, Seth Moberly, Bill McBride, Jason McBride, Jamie Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Shanna Young, Amanda Kolar and Micah Moberly and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nephew Mike Moberly (Janine) of Chandler and their family, AZ and sister-in-law Elaine Moberly of Chandler, AZ. He is also survived by his brother-in law Kenneth Hiebert (Delores) of Winona, MO, Wilbur Hiebert of Springfield, MO and sister-in-law Debbie Wethy (Rolla, MO) and Gladys (Lloyd) McBride of Wetumpka, AL, along with their extensive families.

Merv was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dean Moberly, his wife Margaret, sister-in-law Charlotte Hiebert and one grandson, Adam Moberly.

A private family life celebration was held Friday, June 2 and cremains interment will be at Cass Cemetery, Webster City, Iowa at 10:00 AM, August 5, 2023. Following, a light lunch will be provided at the New Testament Church of Christ, 716 Fairmeadow Drive Webster City, Iowa 50595. Memorials can be sent to Good News Productions International (GNPI), PO Box 222, Joplin, MO 64802-0222. This ministry was very dear to Merv's evangelistic heart and donations will be used to reach the Lost around the world.