Mervin D. Lung

Mervin D. Lung

November 18, 1922 - September 9, 2015

Mervin D. Lung passed away peacefully in his home with his immediate family in attendance at age 92. He was born on November 18, 1922 in Topeka, IN the oldest child of Clarence and Mary Lung. Mervin graduated from Wawaka High School in 1941. Drafted into the Army shortly thereafter, he had basic training in Ft. Carson with the deepest snow and the most stubborn mules in the Army. Mervin then became part of the island campaign in the Pacific, first stationed on Tarawa and ended five islands later on Iwo Jima where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He finished his military career as part of the Japan occupation force.

During this time he filled his mother’s mail box with letters about his dreams of owning his own business and how successful he would become. Upon returning home from the Army he went to work at Studebakers where he met his wife of 68 years, Dorothy. They were married on February 15, 1947 and made their home in Ligonier, IN. Mervin also owned a Bowling Alley in Ligonier at the time which he ran nights and weekends. It was sold and he started a Soft Serve Ice Cream store. That he, once again, operated nights and weekends while working the factory job during the day.

Mervin changed employment to Bendix and later sold the ice cream store moving to Mishawaka. With the free time now available he sold new cars for Romy Hamas Ford on nights and weekends.  Merv would even stop by the dealership Sunday after church and to catch the browsers. The early bird caught enough of them enabling him to become top salesman several times a year. Deciding he no longer wanted to be a factory worker, he switched to full time car salesman.

Mervin also started selling building materials out of his garage that were left over from repair of the several rental homes he had acquired over the years. Still not satisfied, Mervin left the car business to begin selling life insurance. As chance would have it, his boss had a father-in-law that was in the Mobile Home business in the Elkhart area that was beginning to emerge as an acceptable form of inexpensive housing. So much so that it was difficult for the manufactures to buy all the materials they needed. Opportunity was knocking and Merv was quick to answer, again part time at first. He and his boss both left the security of the insurance business and made the leap.

A soldier’s dream was coming true. Patrick Plywood Enterprises began at first in an old chicken coop on Oakland Avenue in Elkhart, expanding into a little larger building he erected immediately behind the original building. After buying out his partner, Mervin Lung achieved his dream, the sole owner of a successful thriving business. The next expansion was a new complex at the corner of Lusher and Nappanee in Elkhart. The company went public in 1968 later changing its name to Patrick Industries to reflect the acquisition several wood component manufacturing businesses all related to the manufacture of Recreational Vehicles and Factory Built Housing. The growth continued into 16 states across the country. It is not work when you are living your dream.

In 1999, Mervin Lung was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. In 2001, Mr. Lung retired, remaining on the board of directors as Chairman Emeritus until 2008 when he called it quits for good.  Forever the old war horse, Mervin Lung was proud of the continued success of Patrick Industries.

Long a champion of dreamers like himself, Mervin Lung was a big supporter of IVY Tech, serving on the state board of governors for many years. He wanted those dreamers to have the chance he never did – a degree to hold in their hand. He even donated a building for the first Elkhart campus and provided scholarships for many in need. Some became employees and some were children of employees.

Mervin enjoyed bowling in leagues or for fun and the euchre games on the company airplane. Come beer frame or money on the card table though, the smile left and the intensity soared. He did not like to lose and seldom did.  Merv especially enjoyed fishing trips with customers from the Baja to Canadian fly-ins to Tarpon in the Caribbean. He loved to travel all over the world but really special times for him were trips with Kent Mills ferrying aircraft to distant points across the Atlantic including South Africa.

Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary Lung, and brothers Dallas and Gerald Lung. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 68 years. Also, surviving are his children, David Lung (Martha), Carol Long (Thom), Gregory Lung (Pam), and James Lung (Melanie), 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

The family wants to recognize those special people involved in his care. First and foremost is Dr. John Bulger MD of Mishawaka, IN. Also, a special thanks to Hospice nurse Stacey and his caregivers from Firefly – Norma, Tendai, Micah, and Julie. Every once in a while a special angel appears when the need is the greatest, Thank-you Deborah Seese.

There will be a viewing at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave. in South Bend Friday, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The funeral will be at River Park Methodist Church, 920 South 23rd Street, South Bend at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

In lieu of flowers the family request expressions of sympathy in memory of Mervin D. Lung be in the form of donations to IVY Tech, the Bashor Home for Children in Goshen, IN or River Park Methodist Church in South Bend. Online condolences may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

 Service Information