Mervale A. ‘Merv’ Sawyer, 81, of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester, Saint Marys Campus.

He was born March 27, 1934, in Austin, Minnesota, to Merle and Alice (Ramseth) Sawyer. A lifelong Austin resident, Merv served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 in the Military Police and in the Army Reserves until 1962. On Aug. 20, 1961, he was united in marriage to Adair Rossman at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. The couple raised two children. Merv made his living as a beautician, and was owner of the Plaza Beauty Salons. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Family was very important to Merv, and he was very proud of all his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Adair Sawyer of Austin; his son Jeffrey (Kathleen) Sawyer of Willmar, Minnesota, and their children Ryan and Grace; his daughter Debra (Scott) Mischke of New Market, Minnesota, and their children Nathan, Linzey, and Miles.

He was preceded in death by his parents Merle and Alice Sawyer; and his brother Arlin Sawyer.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the service. Military honors by American Legion Post 91 and V.F.W. Post 1216.

Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.