Mervin Allen Bedor, 89, of Tazewell, VA, formerly of Zephyrhills, FL and College Park, MD, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, May 19, 2019. He was born September 2, 1929, in LaFargeville, NY to the late Joseph Allan Bedor and Sarah Violet Fulkerson Bedor. He graduated from High School at the age of 16, and remained at home helping his father on the family farm for several years. He was then encouraged to attend college at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA, where he obtained his B.A. in Philosophy, and met his wife, Mary-Ann O’Shaughnessy. After graduation in 1955, he became the Minister of Talmadge Hill Community Church in New Canaan, CT, and served there until August 1958. He then moved his young family to Maryland, to begin a teaching career in the public schools of Prince George’s County, where he remained for over 30 years teaching 6th grade, and later Middle School Math, which he enjoyed immensely. Merv will be remembered, affectionally, as “Papa Bear,” “Mr. B,” and lately, Mr. Merv. He was a gentleman, with an engaging personality, especially to children, and along with a witty, dry, sense of humor, he spoke and wrote eloquently, having a love and appreciation of language and the written word. He loved music—singing and whistling hymns as he worked and taught himself how to play the trombone in his later years. He had a generous heart, helping and giving to anyone in need. He spent his life serving the Lord as a Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, deacon, and was instrumental in starting a small church as he aged into his 70th year. Most importantly, Merv will be remembered for his deep, abiding love, to his Friend and Savior, Jesus Christ. His earthly journey is over and his joy is now complete in the presence of the Lord and the loved ones who have gone before him. We can only be thankful for this humble, Godly man, and the legacy he has left to us—that of Christian heritage. Merv was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary-Ann; two sons, infant Jerald Richard “Ricky” Bedor and John Andre “Andy” Bedor; He was the 2nd of 11 children and was preceded in death by brothers, Junior (Dorothy), Willis, and Frederick; sisters, Audrey (Clyde) Haller, Marjorie, and Susan.
Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Cindi Bedor and husband, Alex Pearce of Bristol, United Kingdom; and Jay Bedor Shrader and husband, Eric of North Tazewell, VA; two grandsons Ben Shrader of Roanoke, VA and Luke Shrader and wife, Sarah of Glen Allen, VA; two great-grandchildren, Rachel and James Shrader of Glen Allen, VA; brothers, Wilbur (Erika) Bedor and Gary Bedor; sisters, Carolyn (Al) Sheldon, Jean Bedor and their families; along with a sister in law, and nieces and nephews of his pre-deceased siblings.
A time of visitation will be held from 1-2 PM Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Oakey’s Funeral Home-North Chapel, Roanoke, VA. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at the Oakside Cemetery in Zephyrhills, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association or a local children’s charity or ministry.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, VA is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.peerystclairfuneralhome.com