Mervin Ice

He was born in Knox County, Indiana, June 28, 1935, to the late Pauline (Scott) and Roy W. Ice. He was a 1953 graduate of Fritchton High School in Indiana. He earned an Associate in Science degree from Vincennes University and then graduated from Purdue University in 1958 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. After graduation, Mervin took a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil and Conservation Service (SCS), which he held for a 37-year career. He progressed from an Area Engineer and Project Engineer to Indiana's State Construction Engineer and eventually to Indiana's SCS Assistant State Engineer. In 1974, he was hired as Chief Engineer for the USDA's Soil Conservation Service for Pennsylvania. He then gained employment in Washington, D.C. as the National Construction Engineer for USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service and retired in 1994. Mervin stayed busy after retirement by helping Carla's business, the Blossom Shop Florist. He was involved with the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society (NYCHAPS) since the early 1980s. For the past 40 years, Mervin was an active member of the West Shore Baptist Church in Camp Hill where he taught Sunday School. He was also involved with the Dillsburg Area Sewer and Water Authority. He held many professional affiliations including a 32nd degree Mason. He remained a registered civil engineer in Indiana and Pennsylvania until his death. Mervin was passionate about learning and took every opportunity to discover new information. He was a gentle man with a selfless heart. As an avid learner, he diligently read the newspaper and collected countless books. His sense of humor and collection of catchphrases will forever be remembered by his family. Mervin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carla (Lockhart) Ice; his son Douglas Ice; his daughter, Karyn Leftwich; his 4 siblings: Ruth Simpson, Sylvan Ice, Charles William Ice, and Alice Carrie; his ten grandchildren: Nathan Darr, Roy Ice, Audrey (Kimmel) Deal, Van Kimmel, Victoria Ice, Karley Ice, Olivia Jones, Madison Ice, Lydia Leftwich, and Remington Ice; and his great-grandson, Barrett Deal. He is also survived by 2 daughters-in-law Beth Ice and Lisa Ice-Jones and 2 sons-in-law Linwood Leftwich and James Jones. He is preceded in death by his son, Mervin R. Ice, Jr. Visitation is on Friday, February 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at West Shore Baptist Church in Camp Hill on 21st and Market Street with a funeral service immediately following. The celebration of Mervin's life will culminate in Indiana. There will be a visitation on February 24, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Prayer Service at First Baptist Church in Vincennes, Indiana followed by the Graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to NYCHAPS, 35 Greenbrier Lane, Dillsburg, PA 17019 or West Shore Baptist Church, 2025 Market St., Camp Hill, PA 17011. An online guestbook can be signed at www.cocklinfuneralhome.com