Mervin Ray Bodner
August 3, 1938 - June 6, 2016


It is with great sadness that the family announces the unexpected passing of Mervin Ray Bodner 77 years, of Lanigan on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Royal University Hospital Saskatoon.  Merv was born on August 3, 1938 at Medicine Hat, AB to Frank and Madeline (nee Towle) Bodner.  In his early years he lived in Redcliff, AB, took his elementary education there and obtained his high school degree at Medicine Hat.  Following he went to Milwaukee, WI to take Instrumentation training.  Then he was off to Calgary for two years to complete his schooling at SAIT.  This is where he met the love of his life Marilyn Abernethy and on July 29, 1960 they were wed at Redcliff, AB.  They later moved to Regina where Merv worked at Ipsco for eight years.  In 1969 the family made their home in Lanigan where Merv was employed at PCS.  In the years after 1987 Merv did contract work for mines in Puffy Lake, MB, Wawa, ON, Yellowknife, NWT, Fort McMurray, AB and Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Chemicals and finally retiring after a year at the Queen E Power Station in Saskatchewan.  He thoroughly enjoyed his career as a journeyman in both the Electrical and Instrumentation trades.  Merv was a person who loved to have fun, keep busy and help others. He had a passion for RC planes and helicopters.  Volunteering with the cadets brought him much enjoyment, instructing them on building and flying RC aircraft.  Attending air shows in Moose Jaw with his family was an annual affair.  As a family they made yearly camping trips to the mountains.  Later Marilyn and Merv would continue the tradition in their motorhome, with memorable trips to the Maritimes, Newfoundland and to Alaska.  Merv was a member of the “Track Twisters” snowmobile club and had many fun times with his friends in the winter time.  He was a very committed member of the Masons and Eastern Star, always helping out and giving of himself.  Merv was a very spiritual person and served his church in many ways.  He loved his grandchildren and supported them by being present at their activities.  He was always ready to teach them things about life and how to have fun along the way.  Another side of Merv was that he was very meticulous and kept everything in top notch condition and had a bit of an attachment  to items especially his vehicles, one in particular his 1975 Country Squire Wagon.  Wine making and photography were a few other hobbies he enjoyed.  He loved to putter and keep busy.  He was a dedicated fan of the Roughriders, holding  season tickets for thirty-four years.  Merv will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 55 years Marilyn Bodner of Lanigan; two children and two grandchildren: Ray Bodner of Lanigan and Michele (Kelly) Skorlatowski of Cold Lake, AB and their children Hope and Matt; sister Lynda (Frank) Wilkinson of Monte Lake, B.C.; step sister Rita Smith (Phil Hogg) of Borden, SK; brother and sisters-in-law: Bill (Susie) Abernethy of Toronto, ON and Laurene Buchanan of Calgary, AB; many nieces and nephews and his dog, Sarah. Merv was predeceased by his parents Frank and Madeline Bodner; two sons: Kenneth in infancy and Tom in 1989; step mother Hilda Bodner; step sister and brother-in-law Joe and Mary Walsh; two brothers-in-law: Tom Abernethy and Stan Seitz; parents-in-law Harry and Gladys Abernethy.  A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 from Knox United Church Lanigan at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Rolanda Taylor.  Interment followed at Lanigan Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Merv’s memory may be directed to Knox United Church Lanigan or New Hope Dog Rescue in Saskatoon.

This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home
Phone: 682-1622