Mervan Allen Bettis, 81, of Jacksonville, IL died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at his home. He was born Oct. 15, 1941, in Murrayville, the son of Edwin and Ada Marie Eskew Bettis. He married Ruth Ann Adams on Jan. 21, 1967, in rural Murrayville and she preceded him in death on Nov. 11, 2022. He is survived by one son, David (Cynthia) Bettis of Jacksonville; two grandchildren, Samantha Marie (Dustin) Cody of Anchorage, AK and Joshua Lee Bettis (Katy Hood) of Fredericksburg, VA; one brother, Harold Bettis of Woodson; and one sister, Rosemary (Steve) Beddingfield of Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two sisters and four brothers, Ruby Page, Virginia Hartz, John Bettis (surviving wife Irene of Chapin), Bob Bettis, Earl Bettis (surviving wife Bertha Louise of Jacksonville), and Alvy Bettis. Mr. Bettis was a Maintenance Supervisor first at First Presbyterian Church and he then retired from MacMurray College. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Winchester. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a Hospital Corpsman, and volunteered to assist during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was an avid JHS Crimsons fan, and served as President of the Boosters Club. Mervan was a charter member and coach for the Pony/Colt Association, and served as an umpire for many years. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. A combined funeral service for Mervan and Ruth will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials for Mr. Bettis are suggested to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be sent to buchanancody.com. . Visitation Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Tuesday, November 22, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 Funeral Service Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Tuesday, November 22, 2022 11:00 AM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650