Mervin John Deibert passed away at Vernon Hospice House on Friday, August 22, 2014 at the age of 68 after a 3 year battle with prostate cancer.
Merv was born in Scott, Saskatchewan on May 13, 1946, the youngest of 11 and lived and worked in that area until he settled in Revelstoke in 1968. He worked for Drew Sawmill, Mica Dam Sawmill, Bell Pole, and then finally Downie Sawmill where he operated the Wagoneer. He always enjoyed his daily visits with the many, many logging truck drivers during the day and usually always had a story to tell when he got home at the end of his shift…
Merv retired on his 65th Birthday but continued to work until August, it was the next month that he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Family was most important to Merv and he loved to spend time with them. Merv enjoyed “puttering” and was an awesome carpenter. He was “the handy man” of all times and it didn’t matter what it was he could fix it or build it. “Glue” was his all-time favorite with a little help of a hammer and nail. Merv and Brenda Dixon Camozzi met on February 1, 1992 at the ever famous “King Eddy Pub” and were married in Revelstoke, in 1996. In 2012 after Brenda retired from R.S.S. they moved to Vernon to be closer to family.
Merv was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Barbara, his mother and father in law Clara and Harold Dixon and siblings Anthony Deibert, Pauline Vollman, Mary Martel, Regina Gerow and Gerald Deibert. He is survived by his wife Brenda, step children, Deena Camozzi (Jason) Summerfelt, Vernon, Brad Camozzi (Rhonda) Prince George; sons: Rod Deibert, Revelstoke, Ryan Deibert (Nicole) Olds, Alberta; grandchildren: Amanda Burk, (Ben Cross), Courtney Burk Rogers (Curtis), all of Vernon, Justin Burk, Grand Prairie, Ciara and Jared Camozzi, Prince George, Landon Deibert, Olds, Alberta, and great granddaughter Khloe May Burk, Vernon. Merv is also survived by his “Best Buddy” Richard Camozzi of Vernon and siblings Emil Deibert, Eileen Neiser, Arnold Deibert, Annette McConnell and Agnes Mettlewsky.
The family would like to thank Dr. MacLeod of Revelstoke, Dr. Schuch and staff of Vernon Three Lakes Medical Clinic, Dr. Crook of Kelowna, Drs. Schulz and Dr. Humphrey of Vernon, and the very caring staff of Vernon Jubliee Hospital, Vernon Hospice House and Vernon Community Care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Revelstoke United Church, September 13th at 2:00 p.m. with a Tea following at the Revelstoke Senior’s Centre. Donations greatly appreciated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, B.C. #4 -17918 55th Ave., Surrey, B.C., V3S 6C8 or the North Okanagan Hospice Society, 3506 27th Avenue, Vernon, B.C. V1T 1S4.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Merv’s family by viewing his obituary at www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.