Merlyn Junior Mulvane, age 79, of Shelby, passed away Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025 surrounded by his loving family at his home. His death follows a valiant battle with COPD.
Merlyn was born June 4, 1945 in Willard, Ohio to the late Merlyn C. and Ruth M. (Cole) Mulvane. At a young age Merlyn began working in the “Muck” in Willard to help support his family. Merlyn held various jobs throughout his life – a security guard at Food Town, groundskeeper for Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth, and for the City of Plymouth.
On August 16, 1980 Merlyn married Valerie E. Jordan and together raising their family and celebrated 44 years of marriage prior to his death. A devoted family man, Merlyn loved spending time with his children and always looked forward to visits from his grandchildren. Merlyn was a jack of all trades and used his wittiness to figure things out. He taught his family the need to be good people in this world, to know right from wrong, and what loving your family means. An avid fisherman, Merlyn loved being outdoors whether on a Boy Scout Retreat or attending a race at Norwalk Raceway. Merlyn was a sports fanatic, always supporting the Shelby Whippet football and basketball teams, the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and The Ohio State University Buckeyes. Merlyn had attended the Shelby Church of God- now Connect Church.
Merlyn is survived by his wife: Valerie; his children: Jeff (Kathy) Mulvane of Mountain City, TN, Jesse (Tina) Mulvane of Kingsport, TN, Tyler Rogers (fiancé Jayden Hillman) of Shelby, and Skylar (Miranda) Rogers of Shelby; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren including: Amber, Caleb (Mercedes), Summer, Arenn, Nevoline, Emary, Estyn, Zoey, Silas, Briella, Maeplinn and Kinsley; siblings: Wendell Mulvane, Cecil Mulvane, Bonnie (Larry) Trimble, and Evelyn (Duane) Evans; sisters-in-law: Linda Mulvane and Nancy Mulvane; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Arden Mulvane, Howard Mulvane, Gary Mulvane, Grace Uzunoff Gies, Edward Mulvane, Vernon Mulvane, Susan Mulvane, and Betty Mulvane.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 10-11 am at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby with funeral services immediately following at 11 am. Chaplain Doug Olsen with Pathways Hospice will officiate the services. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, New Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice who have helped the Mulvane family with the care of Merlyn for the past 3 years.
Condolences may be left on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Merlyn’s tribute vedio, click the link: Merlyn’s tribute video.
I miss you pawpaw even though you gave me so many nicknames first was you firecracker, or lil squirt, or I was your road runner but I remember all the great memories we had when I was younger up until teenage. Yeah, it was your brat, but I’ll always be FLY HIGH PAWPAW ️
My condolences and prayers for you and your family….hugsssss
Valerie so sorry hear of your loss. And I must apologize but we have a family member who also has passed and is about the same time of service in Ashland. But I will be thinking of you
O Lord, we call upon You in our time of sorrow, that You give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion. Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while we struggle to comprehend life’s hardships.
Keep us ever in Your watch, till we can walk again with light hearts and renewed spirits…..love you uncle Junior
Valerie and family
I am so sorry to hear about JR. Emary sure did love her pawpaw. He also treated Gannen like his very own. RIH.
So sorry to hear of Juniors passing
Love and Prayers Valerie to you and family
He was a great man!