{"id":36126,"date":"2021-06-24T05:01:40","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T11:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uswps02.newsmemory.com\/northernplainsindependent\/news\/?p=36126?destination=northern-plains-independent"},"modified":"2021-06-24T05:09:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T05:09:14","slug":"mervin-garfield-sr-20210623034134","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northernplainsindependent.com\/2021\/06\/24\/mervin-garfield-sr-20210623034134\/?destination=northern-plains-independent","title":{"rendered":"Mervin Garfield Sr."},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\n\t Mervin Keith Garfield Sr., 52, of Wolf Point, Mont., passed away at St. Vincent\u2019s Hospital in Billings, Mont., on June 13, 2021, after a sudden illness.
\n\t Mervin was born on Dec. 28, 1968. After having five children, Daniel and Barbara Garfield of Wolf Point, Mont., hand-picked Mervin to be the baby of their family. Mervin was a beautiful child and was constantly spoiled by everyone.
\n\t In his younger years, Mervin enjoyed boxing, riding steers, wrestling, and playing football and baseball. He honed his hunting and fishing skills with his dad, brothers, cousins and friends. After graduating from Wolf Point High School, he attended and graduated from an air and hospitality academy in Washington.
\n\t Mervin was a jack of all trades. After graduation, he worked on a fishing boat in Alaska for a short time before returning to Wolf Point to hold various jobs related to farming and ranching, construction, and various labor work until the time of his death.
\n\t Mervin, also known as \u201cBig Merv,\u201d was a colorful character and lived life to the fullest. He had an infectious smile and a heart of gold. He loved to be the center of attention. Everyone that knew Big Merv has a crazy story to tell about him. He was a seasoned storyteller himself and would captivate his audience with his various run-ins with rattlesnakes, bull snakes, mountain lions, vicious dogs and his local nemesis. He was thrilled to learn that he immortalized in a poem and also by a traveling journalist who happened to mention him in an article when he passed through Wolf Point.
\n\t Big Merv lived for his family and friends. He never knew the word tired. If you needed something done and he showed up at your house, he would drop everything and lend a hand. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, many cousins, nephews and friends he loved to share his \u201cmonster buck\u201d and \u201cthe fish that got away\u201d stories at the local bars.
\n\t Big Merv had a special place in his heart for his three older sisters who spoiled him rotten. He called then on every holiday and most Sundays to remind them to go to church and would end the call with, \u201cI just called to tell you I love you, and don\u2019t you ever forget that.\u201d \u201cI love my sisters.\u201d He would often leave animated voicemails if they missed his call.
\n\t He is survived by his sisters, Tracie Garfield of Billings, Mont., Faith Yanez (Daniel) of Gilbert, Ariz., Joy Toavs (Ted) of Wolf Point, Mont., and Chrissie Adams of Wolf Point, Mont.; children, Mervin Garfield Jr., Jonnie Jackson, Michael Jackson and Ira Follett Jr.; and numerous relatives.
\n\t Mervin is reunited with his parents, Dan and Barbara Garfield; and brothers, Duane and Ronnie Garfield and Dale and Ben Running Bear.
\n\t A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 18 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.
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