MARY L. MERVA BIRES, 87

YOUNGSTOWN -- Services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell and at 9:30 a.m. in St. Matthias Church for Mary L. Merva Bires, 87, of 3119 Shirley Road, formerly of Campbell, who died Saturday morning in Shepherd of the Valley, Boardman.
Mrs. Bires was born March 27, 1914, in Burgholtz, Ohio, a daughter of John and Petronella Mihalko Merva, and lived in the area most of her life.
She was a homemaker and worked in the housekeeping departments of the Jewish Community Center and Heritage Manor for many years.
She was a member of the church, its Infant Jesus of Prague Guild, its Altar & amp; Rosary Society and its Quilting Club. She was a former member of St. John the Baptist Church in Campbell and First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association 501. She received many awards for her crocheting at Canfield and Ohio State fairs.
Her husband, Stephen M., whom she married May 12, 1931, died July 22, 1981.
She leaves two daughters, Irene Neshite of Youngstown, with whom she made her home, and Rita Wolfgang of Campbell; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Two brothers, Andrew and John Merva, died in infancy, and three other brothers, Joseph, John and Nicholas Merva, and a sister, Helen Merva, are deceased.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where a prayer service will be at 4:45 p.m.
4/29/01