Mervin W. George, 95, a 68-year resident of Jackson Center in Worth Township, Mercer County, died at 12:10 a.m. Thursday at United Community, Hospital, Grove City, after a brief illness.

Born in Hawthorn, Clarion County, June 28, 1910, he was a son of Milo A. and Janet Carter George.

He was a self-employed dairy farmer for 55 years; and in earlier years, he worked at Cooper Bessemer in Grove City.

Mr. George was a member of the Schoefield United Methodist Church in Millbrook, Mercer County.

He was the first Pennsylvania state champion in horseshoe pitching in 1927 and again in 1929. He also won many other horseshoe awards and championships throughout the state and was inducted into the National Horseshoe Pitching Hall of Fame and the halls of fame in Butler County and the state.

Surviving are three children, Jean E. Rearick of New Castle, Sara M. "Sally" McCullough of Mercer and John W. George of Jackson Center; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. A sister, Myra George of Grove City also survives.

His wife, Margaret Elizabeth Deitrick George, whom he married June 8, 1935, died Oct. 22, 2002. He also was preceded in death by a grandson and three sisters.

GEORGE - Friends of Mervin W. George, who died Thursday, July 21, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Getschman, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Mount Irwin Cemetery, Irwin Township, Venango County.