Marvin Stevens

Marvin Stevens, 93, of Terre Haute, passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Marvin was born in Champaign County on February 15, 1919, the son of Harry and Roxie (Dibert) Stevens. He graduated from Terre Haute High School and Westville High School. He attended Moore’s Business College in Urbana where he earned a degree in business. He was a very active lifetime member of the Terre Haute United Methodist Church where he held many serving positions. Marvin is survived by his wife of 71 years, Frances (Dingledine) Stevens; four children: Neil (Karen) Stevens of Terre Haute, Gail (Steve) Murry of Lancaster, Lynn (Barbara) Stevens of Palm Harbor, FL and Jane (Brian) Lynott of Urbana; nine grandchildren: Amanda (David) Baker, Sara (Rasesh) Patel, Jeff (Christine) Murry, Michelle (Aaron) Zerkle, Matt Stevens, Jayme (Matt) Johnson, Kristin Rossi, Alison (B.J.) Curtis and Adam (Shelley) Claybaugh; 13 great-grandchildren: Andrew and Ian Baker, Rani and Kira Patel, Josh and Luke Murry, Hailey and Kaitlyn Zerkle, Nick and Emma Stevens, Lily Johnson, and Macy and Liam Curtis. Marvin was preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Stevens. He worked for Dingledine Trucking Company for 11 years before accepting a position with the Northern Ohio Breeders Association in 1952. He later returned to operate Dingledine Trucking until selling it in 1986. Marvin served on the Mad River Township Board of Education and was instrumental in helping to establish the Graham Local School District. He served on the district’s first Board of Education. He went on to serve two terms on the Champaign County Board of Education. Marvin continued in public office being elected and serving two terms as a Champaign County Commissioner from 1969-1977. From 1977-1981, Marvin served as public relations director for District 7 Department of Highway. Marvin has volunteered many hours in his community. He was a member of Harmony Lodge #8 and the Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton for 67 years, a member of the Antioch Shrine of Champaign County for 65 years, serving on the can committee which helped raise $700,000, a 50-year member of the Jr. O.U.A.M., and was also a member of the Urbana Lions Club for 40 years. Marvin volunteered 33 years on the Champaign Residential Services, Inc. Board of Trustees and was the longest serving board member for the agency. Other volunteering includes serving 30 years on the Springfield District Methodist Church Location Board, 25 years on the United Way Allocation Board, eight years on the Champaign County Senior Citizens Center Board of Trustees and two terms each on the St. Marys Methodist Retirement Center Board and what was formerly called the Champaign County Welfare Services Board. He also helped to organize Champaign Transportation Services (CTS) and served on its board. Marvin enjoyed his golf, continuing to play until last June. Above all, he was a family man, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a man of deep faith. Family will receive friends 2-7 p.m. Friday, December 7, 2012 in Walter and Smith Funeral Home, 642 S. Main St., Urbana. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012 in Terre Haute United Methodist Church with Pastor David Yinger officiating. Burial will be held in Terre Haute Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Marvin’s memory to Terre Haute United Methodist Church, 5938 State Route 55, Urbana, OH 43078, Community Mercy Hospice, 444 W. Harding Road, Springfield, OH 45504 or the American Cancer Society, Ohio Southwest Region, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206. The family would like to express thanks to the caring staff of Sterling House and Community Mercy Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to Marvin’s family at www.walterfunerals.com.