Dear Family of Merv,
Linda and I were sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Please accept our sincere sympathy and know that Merv’s forever memories are now what brings comfort. Merv was one of the first associates I met when I began my JCPenny career in Fargo, ND.
I am proud to say our relationship lasted for over 60 years. He was very instrumental in my early training and the management skills he provided.
Your dad and mother are united again.
May he rest in Peace.
Our Love
Bruce and Linda Hill
Mervin F. Cihlar
October 26, 1935 – July 15, 2026
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell for Mervin F. Cihlar, age 90, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at his home. Reverend Timothy Baltes will officiate. Burial of the urn will be in the St. Francis Xavier Parish Cemetery in Sartell. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Mervin was born October 26, 1935 to Frank and Mathilda (Kalina) Cihlar in Alexandria, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm in Lake Mary Township and was baptized and confirmed at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church. He spent the first eight years of school in a one room, Maple Lake Country School. He eventually graduated from Alexandria High School in 1953. He was united in marriage to Norma Jean Larson on June 17, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. To this union four children were born, Mark, Michelle, Michael and Melissa. Mervin started his 43 year career with JC Penney in 1953 at their downtown location in Alexandria. He trained in four stores and was store manager for six stores. He truly enjoyed his work, right up to his retirement in 1996. He always said, “I just want to be there every day.”
Mervin was involved and volunteered in each of the communities that he lived in. He was very involved in his church, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell where he served as an usher, parish council member, and on the cemetery council. He also served on the Diocesan Council, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Rotary in each of the communities he lived in.
In his free time, Mervin enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Lake Moses, wintering in Destin, FL for over 15 years, and working on his yard (he always tried to have the best looking yard on the block).
He is survived by his children, Mark (Shannon), Michelle (Rob) Blackshaw and Melissa (Marvin) Beutz; 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren; sister, Lorraine (Gary) Goebel; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Norma Jean; son, Michael; and his sister, Lucille (Wendell) Arndt.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Guestbook
Please accept our sincere condolences and know you are in our thoughts and prayers
To the family and friends of Mr. Cihlar,
A great many things have changed over the years at JCPenney and throughout the retail landscape. I often have people ask me if we are “still open.” It is hard to blame them, as there are fewer and fewer department stores that survive. For every Herberger’s that leaves, there is a TJ Maxx or Sierra that comes in to replace it.
We can lament the change or be critical of what remains, but the brutal reality is that the world changes. Sometimes it changes in ways we want it to, but often it can initially feel as though it is changing in the wrong direction. Either way, almost everything will continue to change. We are either in the way of change, or we are on the way with change.
My point is this: JCPenney has changed, but we remain. The store might close next year or be here for another ten. We cannot predict the future. What I can do is remember where we came from.
Our store is successful. It is healthy. It remains. We remain not because of the brand of T-shirts we sell, but because of the hard work, effort, and sacrifice of the people who work here today and those who came before us. Mr. Cihlar is an important reason why our store remains.
While the people in the building are different today, many of our customers have been coming here for years. For many, their parents came here. Their grandparents came here. I started with the company around the time Mr. Cihlar retired, so I can attest that much of the culture we have today was passed down through leaders like Mr. Cihlar.
I, along with many of my fellow Penney managers, am grateful for and indebted to incredible people including Merv Cihlar. The spirit of Store 1874 mourns with the entire family and is deeply thankful for his contributions and legacy.
May God bless all of you during this difficult time.
Services
Schedule Details
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell for Mervin F. Cihlar, age 90, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at his home. Reverend Timothy Baltes will officiate. Burial of the urn will be in the St. Francis Xavier Parish Cemetery in Sartell. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.