Obituary of Mervin Steven Bilyk

Mervin Bilyk of Yorkton, beloved husband of Gwen, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the Yorkton Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Mervin, only son of Stephen and Anne Bilyk, was born on June 9, 1935 on the family farm near Kamsack, SK. Mervin received his early education at Elite School near Stornoway, followed by St. Joseph's College in Yorkton. After graduation, Mervin worked as an orderly at Yorkton's Airport Hospital, General Hospital and the Yorkton Union Hospital where he eventually met his future wife. Operation of industrial equipment used for clearing land and road construction (his favorite the CAT Crawlers) were jobs he was particularly fond of. Music played a big part in Mervin's life. He played the electric guitar, cymbala and steel guitar both at home and in various bands. He also sang with his sisters at amateur nights, and with the St. Joseph's boys' choir. Ultimately, Mervin returned to the family farm near Stornoway where he and Gwen settled after their wedding on April 16, 1966 until 1998 when they moved to Yorkton. Mervin had a love of nature that was evident to anyone that knew him. Fishing and camping trips up north, hunting, trapping, ice fishing and mushroom picking to kick the spring season off were just a few of his favourite past times. He was an advocate for the preservation of wildlife habitat and a supporter of the Wildlife Federation. Mervin also had a strong sense of the past, and enjoyed his role recreating history at Yorkton's annual Thresherman's Show actively running and maintaining the Sawmill Exhibit. In 2009, he became a "Life Member" of the Yorkton Thresherman's Club. Mervin's sense of community was evident through his active involvement with Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Wroxton, the Stornoway Co-op Association, the construction and early operation of the Wroxton & District Recreation Center, the District 12 Ag. Extension Board, Crime Stoppers, and his willingness to lend a hand without hesitation. Mervin is predeceased by his parents Stephen and Anne; sister Olga Koroluk and husband Connie, and brother-in law, Clarence Laidlaw. He will live on in the memories of his loving wife of 49 years, Gwen; his children William (Wanda) Bilyk of Regina, Christine (Tim) Feist of Nipawin, Barbara (Matthew) McCullough of Saskatoon; sisters Marcia Laidlaw of Yorkton, and Susan (Norman) Babcooke of Antigonish, NS; grandchildren Jaden and Rylan Bilyk, Jill and Kara Feist, Alyssa, Daniel and Anna McCullough, Jessie (Chris) Gilchuk; great-grandchildren Gavin and Kenzie Gilchuk; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Prayers were held on Thursday evening, November 12th, and the Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Friday morning, November 13th, 2015, all from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. Rev. Fr. Ray Lukie, C.Ss.R. was the Celebrant. Cantor, Ed Pindus led members of St. Mary's Choir and the congregation in the singing of the responses. Son William read the epistle, the crossbearer was granddaughter Anna McCullough. Members of the Yorkton Threshermen's Club attended the service and formed an honor guard at the church. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Matthew, Alyssa & Daniel McCullough, Tim Feist, and Jaden & Rylan Bilyk serving as the casketbearers. Daughters Christine & Barb gave a tributte and offered thanks on behalf of the family at the reception following the funeral. Condolances may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Yorkton Threshermen's Club, the Dialysis unit of the YRHC, or to St. Mary's Church. Service Information Thursday, November 12th, 2015 7:00pm, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Friday, November 13th, 2015 10:00am, St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens