Mervin Stauffer Rutt

Mervin S Rutt, Sr of Fairmount Homes passed away Thursday, November 16. He was born in Blue Ball, PA the son of John C and Clara Stauffer Rutt and married Gladys McGinnis Rutt on December 31, 1948.

He graduated from New Holland High School in 1944 and immediately began working at New Holland Machine, eventually becoming the first service representative in the Baler Department. He traveled extensively, servicing balers in 46 of the 48 states in three years. Seven years later he began work at New Holland Concrete as salesman then sales manager and eventually operations manager to complete 41 years of service. In his retirement, he worked part-time for 16 years at Premier Custom-Built Cabinet Company.

Mervin was a long-time member of New Holland Mennonite Church where he served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, Church Council member and Day Care Board member. He was instrumental in starting an early morning prayer group which continued for many years. Mervin served with Mennonite Disaster Service in Louisiana.

He served his community in leadership positions at the Blue Ball Fire Company and the Blue Ball Water Authority. He also served on MEDA’s Befrienders Committee and Naaman Center board, ministering to persons in crises. He also served a term as secretary of PA Concrete Pipe Association.

Mervin enjoyed gardening, making wood gifts for his children for Christmas, nature and travel. He and his wife were privileged to travel several times to Europe, including to a grand-daughter’s wedding in Germany, to the British Isles, India, Costa Rica, Belize, Alaska and Canada.

Most of all he enjoyed time spent with his family. He particularly enjoyed hearing family members play instrumental music and singing.

He is survived by his seven children Jack (Gloria Short), Jan (Richard Landes), Philip (Marian Hollinger), Mary Beth (Donald Kautz), Mervin, Jr (Ellen Carroll), Ted and Rebecca Martin, 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Gladys McGinnis Rutt, parents John and Clara Rutt and sister, Arlene Weaver.

Services will be Saturday, November 25 at New Holland Mennonite Church, 18 Western Ave, New Holland, PA. A Celebration of Life Service begins at 2:00pm followed by family visitation and hors d'oeuvres. Burial will be performed privately prior to the service. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.GroffEckenroth.com. Arrangements by the Groff High Funeral Home, New Holland, PA