Mervin Eugene Bavier, Jr.

Bavier Jr., Mervin Eugene 7/31/1960 - 3/23/2019 Curtis, Michigan Merv (Buddy) journeyed on to his ultimate crazy, wild and wonderful adventure on Saturday, March 23, 2019, after a short but fierce battle with esophageal cancer. His wife of 28 years, Barbara (Goudreau), was by his side at their home in Curtis, MI. He was 58. Born on July 31, 1960 in Flint, MI to Mervin Sr. and Phyllis (Nemes) Bavier, Merv was three months premature, and struggled with health problems most of his life, but that didn't stop him from experiencing every adventure he could. He worked several jobs, most recently as a grinder for Wardcraft Conveyers McLaughlin-Ward in Jackson. He was an experienced auto body mechanic and often took on freelance repair jobs, especially those that involved fiberglass. Merv was a Boy Scout in his youth, and enjoyed building car models from an early age. With Roger Raser, his brother from another mother, he spent many years building go carts and forts, riding motorcycles and dirt bikes, snowmobiling, and fishing. He joined the Jackson Corvette Club with his father, and at that time, he was the youngest member ever inducted. He and his father also comprised a rally racing team as part of the club, and they won many first place trophies. Father and son also rebuilt a Corvette, ran it on road racing courses throughout the Midwest, and won more trophies together. As he grew older, Merv changed his focus to drag racing and became a member of the NHRA. He greatly enjoyed racing his Camaro at tracks around Michigan. With Barbara, Merv discovered a great love for the state of Michigan, and together, they explored all corners of the state, eventually falling in love with the southeastern part of the Upper Peninsula. Although he was a Jackson native, he felt his true home was in the U.P., and was thrilled to be able to move to Curtis in 2017. He designed and closely supervised the building of an addition onto the small cabin they bought on ten acres. He loved walking out onto his property and enjoying the beauty of nature - his "church." Together, the couple also enjoyed listening to classic rock, watching and collecting movies, and spending time with their family and many dear friends. In addition to his wife, Merv is survived by one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law, several cherished nieces and nephews, dear aunts and uncles, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Two memorials will be held. The first will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at the Beaulieu Funeral Home, 110 W. Truman Blvd., Newberry, Michigan, with visitation at 4:00 pm and services at 5:00 pm. The second will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the Watson Funeral Chapel, 2590 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson, Michigan, with visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and services at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, 6091 US Highway 2, Manistique, MI 49854. 

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