Mert Bevitt

Merten “Mert” A. Bevitt, 83, of Shawnee, died Oct. 21, 2021, at his home.

He was born Nov. 27, 1937, in Morganville to Kenneth and Edna Bevitt. He was a 1956 graduate of Barnes High School. He then served in the Army National Guard and farmed until he found his passion for trucking. He hauled freight and livestock from Kansas to Texas. He then worked for consolidated Freight Ways until his retirement in 1999.

On Dec. 14, 1958, he married his first wife. They had 3 children.

He married Mary Bruna on Jan. 14, 1967.

He fabricated and built 1/16 scale machinery. He was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in Dyersville, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary; 4 sons, Joey, Rush Center, Scott, Shawnee, Jeff (Jennifer), Shawnee, Kevin, Shawnee; 3 daughters, Sherry (John) Gill, La Crosse, Sally, La Crosse, Brenda (Nicholas) Frei, Lenexa; 2 brothers, Clint, St. George, Richard (Mary Lou) Manhattan; 8 grandchildren, Amy (Vince) Perry, Ellsworth, Julie (John) Hoverson, Smithville, Mo., Christine (Mark) Baalmann, La Crosse, James (Brittany) Suppes, Smith Center, Matthew (Sharon) Suppes, Baldwin City, Grace, Jack, Michael, Shawnee; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Hanover Mortuary.

The funeral is at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Hanover Mortuary in Hanover.

Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary.

Washington County News • Oct. 28, 2021