Danville has lost a pillar in the community. Businessman Lou Mervis died late Sunday from natural causes. He had dedicated his life to growing the city while leading a scrap metal business that grew over the years.
Mayor Scott Eisenhauer was among those reacting to the word of Mervis’ death.
‘’Danville will never be the same. You know I don’t think people realize all that Mr. Mervis contributed to this community,’’ said the Mayor. ‘’Financially, with purchases of property that allowed industrial development to grow in this community – ways in which he helped organizations and other projects throughout this city. And then you look at the mark that he made across the state – particularly in education, but also in politics.’’
Vicki Haugen, President of Vermilion Advantage, says she shudders to think how many projects over the years would have gone by the wayside without Mr. Mervis’ intellectual and financial intervention.
‘’That is one of the many voids that will be so hard – perhaps impossible – to fill moving forward,’’ added Haugen.
Mike Hulvey, Chief Operations Officer of Neuhoff Communications, says Mervis (shown here) worked quietly behind the scenes.
‘’I don’t think any of us will ever know all of the lives that have been positively impacted through the generosity of Mr. Mervis,’’ said Hulvey. ‘’I don’t think that we will ever fully know or appreciate all of the good that was done – very quietly in the background to make sure that the community had the resources that it needed, as well as helping to guide the future of our community. It is truly a sad day.’’
It was June of 2016 that Mervis was recognized for his life-long efforts. It was announced then that the East Gate and South Gate Industrial Park area would be known as ‘Mervis Innovation Business Park.’
Visitation for Mervis will be held on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home on North Vermilion Street in Danville. Services will be held starting at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Ridgeview Baptist Church in Danville.
