The funeral service took place at the Forest of Dean Crematorium on Thursday 15th February with Celebrant Mrs Anne Price officiating. On entry to the crematorium chapel a recording of ‘Island in the sun’ by Harry Belafonte was played. The Eulogy was given and during a Time for Reflection, the mourners listened to a recording of ‘The impossible dream’ by Luther Vandross. The Family Tribute was read and the recessional music was ‘Voices of the Highlands’ as recorded by Karl Denver.

The bearers were Michael Davies, Ben Davies, Thomas Whatley, Curtis Whatley, Richard Beach and Tony Carter

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Ernest Heal & Sons, 5 South Road, Broadwell, Gloucestershire, who are collecting donations for Cancer Research U.K. These would be sincerely appreciated and may be given online  or sent to: Ernest Heal & Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors, 5 South Road, Broadwell, Coleford, GL16 7BH (Please make cheques payable to Ernest Heal Donations Account).

Family mourners

Mrs Hazel Davies (wife)

Theresa and Vince Whatley (daughter and son-in-law)

Michael and Amy Davies (son and daughter-in-law)

Nicola and Richard Beach (daughter and son-in-law)

Thomas Whatley and Vickie Gardner (grandson and partner)

Curtis Whatley and Lydia Hook (grandson and partner)

Ben Davies (grandson)

Harry Davies (grandson)

Maisie Beach (granddaughter)

Jack Beach (grandson)

Mollie Chiswell

John and Rosemarie Frowen (brother-in-law and sister)

Mrs Lynn Frowen (niece)

Mr Tim Watkins and Mrs Caroline Abbott (rep Joyce and John Watkins) (nephew and niece)

Dave and Sue Frown (nephew and niece)

Paul and Dawn Frowen (nephew and niece)

Friends at the crematorium chapel

Shirley Gardner

Nigel Knight (rep Mandy’s Country Club)

Mrs Jean Paddock

Elaine Barnard

Tony and Alison Carter (rep Mr and Mrs T. McKenzie and family also Miss T. Nash)

Rachel Kear

Anne Pennell (rep Gillian Davies)

Teresa Squire (rep Matthew, Christine and Lyndon Kear)

Sylvia Preece (rep The Causeway Club)

Jim Matthews (rep Lydbrook A.F.C.)

Louis and Trish Taylor

Mr and Mrs M. Mills

Ken and Linda Emsley

Graham and Nikki Jones (rep Phil and Marilyn Cocker)

Jayne O’Nions

Yvonne Smith

Ben Villis

Lee Villis 

Tyler Evans

Baby Vinnie Villis

Sally Chappell

Miss Jenny Deane

Lynda Furnival

Louise Bendall

Mrs K. Heath

Mr Paul Skelton

Harold and Doreen Beach

Ellie Webber

Robert and Carol Didcote

Lyndon Knight (rep Colliers Skittles & Social Club)

Paul Duggan

Robbie Pritchard

Daniel Dawson

Josh Duggan

Stephen Thomas

Mr David Bennett (rep Geoff Boughton and Graham Hook)

Miss Jo Horrobin (rep Tom and Michelle Childs)

Jane Armstrong (rep Megan)

Frige and Sharon Okey

Miss Georgia Panting (rep Nigel)

Julie Stephens

Barrie and Doreen Morgan (rep Mr and Mrs G. Harris)

Mr Stephen Evans

Steve Bell (rep Healthcare 21)

Graham and Linda Kibble

Simon and Karen Powell

Zena Roberts

Barbara Howells

Mrs Janet Meek

Aiesha Powles

Mr Ryan Smith

Apologies

 Isla Coutts (sister-in-law)

Floral tributes

Spray

            In Loving Memory Of

            A Dear Husband

            Merv,

            Thank you for a wonderful life and family.

            Love you forever

            Hazel xxx

            In Loving Memory Of

            A Wonderful Dad

            To the best Dad in the world. We love you     

            with all our hearts and always will. Sleep       

            tight Dad until we meet again. Love you

            lots, forever.

            Theresa and Vince xxxxxx

            In Loving Memory Of

            A Wonderful Dad

            Dad,

            You had a heart of gold and the kindest

            Soul. In our hearts you will always stay,

            loved and remembered every day.

            Rest in Peace Dad, we will love you

            forever.

            Mike and Amy xxx

            In Loving Memory Of

            A Wonderful Dad

            Dad,

            Thank you for being the best Dad in the world.

            Thank you for all the beautiful memories.

            Big kiss, massive squeeze,

            Love you always

            Nicola and Richard xxxx xxx

 Manchester United Badge

            In Loving Memory

            Of A Dear Granddad

            To our wonderful Grandad Merv,

            May you rest peacefully for the rest of time.

            Thank you for the memories that will last

            a lifetime. Love always

            Thomas and Vickie xx

            In Loving Memory

            Of A Dear Grandad

            My Grandad Merv, thank you for being the

            best Grandad I could ever have asked for.

            You will always be incredible, and I will

            forever look up to you. I will always

            do my best to make you proud and keep

            scoring goals for you. I will love you

            forever

            Curtis x xxx

            Thank you for always being there for me

            when I needed you, never judging me,

            always being on my side no matter what,

            and looking out for me my whole life. I will

            never forget one moment of our time we spent

            together, Thank you, thank you,

            for everything you did for me,

            Love you!

            Dear Grandad Merv,

             I’m going to miss your big cuddles and I

            miss listening to your memories of your

            holidays. I am really grateful to have met

            you and treating me like a Granddaughter.

            The world will never be as special now

            you’re no longer on it but heaven is now

            even better as it is blessed with you and I

            can’t wait to be reunited one day and hear

            your unfunny jokes again ha-ha!

            I love you so, so much

            From Lydia xxxx oooo

            In Loving Memory

            Of A Dear Grandad

            R.I.P. to the best Grandad a guy could ever

            ask for. Love you always Swervin Merv.

            All our love

            Ben and Saoirse xx

            In Loving Memory

            Of A Dear Grandad

            To Grandad

            Thank you for being such an amazing

            Granddad and bringing all of us up so

            well. I miss you but I will never forget you

            lots of love

            Oliver and Harry

            In Loving Memory

            Of A Dear Grandad

            You were the best Grandad we could have

            ever asked for. Thank you, we love you so

            much. Rest up old butt         

            Lots of love from

            Maisie, Jack, and Mollie xxxx