Merv Shiner

Merv passed peacefully into eternal glory on October 22, 2023 at the age of 102. Merv Shiner was born February 20, 1921 to Algier and Jennie Shiner in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Merv was one of four children, William, Charles, and Robert who preceded him in death.

Merv is survived by his loving son, Michael Shiner and daughter-in-law Nancy Shiner living in Beverly Hills, Michigan, three grand-daughters are; Kirstyn (Bill) Waldron of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Hannah Shiner of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Melissa Shiner of San Francisco, California. Extended family members reside in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Oracle, Arizona; Kingwood, Texas; Altamonte Springs, FL; Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Whitehall, Pennsylvania; many greats are included in Merv’s extended family.

Merv’s musical career as a classic country singer and guitarist began in the late 1930’s and 40’s, when as a teenager he sang duets with his mother on radio. She was his inspiration and encouragement from the very beginning. Merv’s career and exceptional talent took him to perform in venues throughout the US, Canada, and foreign countries. Over the years, Merv has sung and performed at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and has performed with or written songs for many of the well-known performers of yesteryear. It was in 1950 the producer Vaughn Horton was instrumental in Merv’s singing career recording the children’s song, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” which became a hit selling more than one million records. The sights and sounds of Merv’s beautiful talent will continue in future years. He and his cherished C.F. Martin guitar have created warmth, tenderness, and clarity of a true and genuine voice. Merv is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn. Together they continued in harmony to glorify their Heavenly Father in hymns and gospel songs of the Christian faith. You may access these recordings at https://www.youtube.com/@mervandmarilynshiner2706 .

Family and friends are invited to attend the memorial service on Saturday, November 4th, at 2:00PM at First Reformed Church of Tampa, 8283 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33615. A later memorial will be held for family and friends in the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area where Merv will be interred in the family plot.

In addition to flowers, donations may be sent to Hope International Ministries, Inc., 11415 Hope International Drive, Tampa, FL 33625-3963 and Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607-3000.