Mervyn Looney is the first born son of John and Edith (Molberg) Looney. He was born November 1914 and had four sisters and one brother. He married nearly 55 years ago and has a son Michael and two daughters, Debbie and Sherry. Mervyn is a family man who never failed to take care of parents and his brothers and sisters when growing up. Although Mervyn never attended college, he helped financially so that his siblings could.

Mervyn was a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) prior to joining the Army. The depression era was a difficult time for many. During WWII, Mervyn Looney became a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th GIR (Glider Infantry Regiment) . He earned 5 Purple Hearts (with 2 more still to be received) and was stationed with the 325th in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was also was one of those glider infantry men to storm Normandy early morning on D-Day.

After discharge from the Army, Mervyn worked at Dixline in Galva and then became a mail carrier until retirement from the Postal Service. Mervyn makes a point even today of always being there for his family and friends. Mervyn has always helped anyone who asked him for help.

Mervyn Looney passed away March 22, 2008, at age 93, due to Stage IV Lymphoma after having entered the hospital a week ago with a cough and his family then being told 2 days before his passing that he was dying. This has thrown his family into shock.

We ask that anyone who is either a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, past or present, US Postal Service, or simply a friend of Mervyn Looney or of his children, Michael Looney, Sherry Looney Linscott, and Debbie Looney Ryan to remember continue to remember Mervyn Looney as the wonderful and giving man that he was.

Visitation took place at Rux's Funeral Home, Galva, IL on Thurs. 3/27/08 from 5-7p.m. with the service having taken place the next day at 11 a.m. with military rites taking place following the service at the Galva Cemetary, with a luncheon at the 1st. United Methodist Church after the graveside burial.