Greta A. Jervis

Greta Alberta (Merchant) Jervis, 97, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 25, 2026. Before the dawn of the Great Depression, Greta was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 4, 1929, one of six children born to Albert E. and Delberta M. (Hurley) Merchant. As a child of that era of hardship, Greta learned to be frugal, resourceful, and resilient; traits that she would carry throughout her life.

Greta lived in West Michigan most of her life, where she and her husband, John Merrick Jervis, raised seven children. As a homemaker and caretaker who enjoyed crochet, she made bonnets, sweaters, and blankets to welcome each new addition to the family, whom she cherished. As the matriarch and family historian, Greta could tell you every name and story behind every photograph. She made a point to visit all her relatives who had gone before her every Memorial Day. She found her joy in keeping her kin healthy and fed, with some beef and homemade noodles at home, cabbage rolls at the Hurley Family Reunion potluck, or yearly boxes of Christmas cookies and zucchini bread she and her sister, Dory, would bake and ship. She traveled too, visiting her children wherever they lived across the country, spending the winters of many years with her sister, Dory, and brother-in-law, Dick, in Kingman, Arizona, and living with her son, John, in Virginia. She loved to play cards and squeeze her loved ones in the best bear hugs. Being blessed with such a long life was not without its tragedies. Greta survived the deaths of her husband; her parents; her siblings: Joyce Mosher, Albert E. “Ed” Merchant, Gerald W. “Jerry” Merchant (Emmy), Delores A. “Dory” West (Richard “Dick”), and Merl E. Merchant, Sr.; her children: Norman “Norm” Weaver, Ramona E. “Mona” Jervis, Michael J. “Mike” Jervis, and Harry J. Jervis; and her grandsons, Anthony Jervis and Curtis Looney. It's comforting to think that there's a joyous reunion to welcome her upon her arrival in Heaven. She is survived by her children: Jack R. Jervis, John L. Jervis (Sue), and Thomas A. “Tom” Jervis (Sue), and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, honor Greta by caring for one another, fixing each other a home-cooked meal, squeezing your loved ones in a big hug, or stopping to visit the family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton, Michigan.