Lavern O. Myers

Lavern Orville Myers, 88, of Elkhart, died Saturday, April 7, 2018, at his home.

He was born December 9, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Roy and Beulah (Smeltzer) Myers.

On June 2, 1962 he married Martha "Marty" Merkle in North Manchester.

She survives along with three children, Michael (Kathy) Myers of Fort Wayne, Angela (Todd) Bryant of Princeton, and Vernon Edward (Amber) Myers of Seoul, South Korea; 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Cassia Ryleigh Martin; a sister, Emma Belle "Michaele" Myers and a brother, Richard Myers.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-54 in Germany and France. He was selected for the All-European basketball team and competed as a champion volleyball player in the Air Force.

Affectionately known as "Squeak," he coached basketball and baseball while teaching at Sidney High School from 1957-62. He also taught for 23 years at West Side Middle School in Elkhart. His big voice, kind heart, and patient spirit made him an ideal teacher and memorable storyteller.

He confessed a simple, John 3:16 faith in Jesus Christ. Over the course of his life, he attended Congregational, Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist services (most recently at Wakarusa Bible Baptist Church). He particularly enjoyed using his oratorical skills to read the Scriptures publicly.

Friends may call Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A 3 p.m. funeral service will be conducted on Thursday by Pastor David Harper at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the West Goshen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Unchanging Rock Ministries, an outreach providing aid to North Korean defectors and Bible teaching to South Koreans.