Marvin Gene Brockelman, 91, lifelong resident of Council Grove, Kansas passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2020, of congestive heart failure at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, KS.
He was born to Frank and Ruth (Shaefer) Brockelman on March 19, 1929 in Council Grove. Marvin was the youngest son of 8 brothers and 1 sister and was raised on a farm east of Council Grove. He graduated from Council Grove High School in 1948 and worked for Fairmont Foods until retiring in 1986. In 1987, Marvin worked for DHIA, which is the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, until retiring as a Dairy Tester in 2009. He married LaVon Louise Place on October 14, 1961.
Marvin was actively involved as a Mason York Rite, the Scottish Rite, and a member of the ISIS Shrine in Salina, KS, as well as Eastern Star. He was also involved with the Shriner’s Burn and Crippled Children’s Organization.
Marvin is survived by his daughter Janice Lawton and husband John, of Council Grove and his two grandchildren Lauren and fiancé Christopher Ellis, of Nashville, TN and J.T. Lawton, of Overland Park, KS; niece Kathy Brockelman-Welch and family, of Joplin, MO, and many other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife LaVon in 2019, infant son Brian Gene, brothers: Everette, Raymond, Floyd, Frank Jr., Clifford, Ralph, Clayton and a sister Blanche.
Marvin will always be remembered as a man whom made living more fun. He brought many a smile and a number of laughs. He always had a way of dispelling clouds and lightening burdens….Marvin was such that person. He loved his home, the lake, his yard, his friends, neighbors and his family. He enjoyed volunteering his time, helping at handing out commodities in Council Grove and enjoyed talking with the wonderful volunteers from Meals on Wheels, who brought him and LaVon lunch over the past number of years. Marvin dearly loved his wife, adored his daughter and son-in-law, and cherished his beautiful grandchildren and his extended family. They were his entire world. He was also sincerely grateful for his dear circle of friends and kind and loving neighbors.
Marvin’s family will carry out his wishes of cremation and a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest charitable donations be made to Council Grove Senior Center or Shriners Hospital for Children. They may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.