Marvin Margrabe

BENTON, Mo. — Marvin Anton Margrabe, 89, of Benton died Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at his home, surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Aug. 10, 1933, in Dutchtown to Robert and Mary Griffin Margrabe of Chaffee, Missouri. On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1953, he married the love of his life, Mary Heuring. They celebrated 68 years of marriage before her passing Sept. 14, 2021.

Marvin worked for Todt Sheet Metal for 37 years, then 11 years for Industrial Systems, before retiring in 2001.

He was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church, St. Denis Men's Club and American Legion Post No. 369, and was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Marvin was an avid bowler, golfer, fisherman, euchre player and St. Louis Cardinals fan, and was a member of SEMO Horseshoe Association. You could find him almost every weekend organizing and pitching at a horseshoe tournament, wearing one of his signature hats, with a Stag in his hand and a smile on his face.

He was happiest when he was camping with his friends on their annual squirrel and deer hunting trips. Most people remember him for his and his wife Mary's love of dancing. They rarely missed an opportunity to waltz or polka around the dance floor. He was one of those people who, if you spent any amount of time with him, you came away with a fond memory of him. Whether it was his storytelling or his witty comebacks, he always made you smile. His passion for volunteering was endless, be it cooking for church dinners, maintenance on the church grounds, working at Knights of Columbus dinners and bingos, organizing horseshoe tournaments for the American Legion or helping any of his family and friends with any project they were working on.

Survivors include a son, Walter (Janice) Margrabe of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, LaDonna (James) Gregory and JoAnn Easter of Benton; nine grandchildren, Matt (Christy) Margrabe, Carrie Vance, Kristen (Jacob) Martin, Aaron (Danielle) Margrabe, Jeannie (Nathan) DeVault, Raymond (Angie) Beasley, James Lee (Jami) Gregory, Christy (Brian) James and Katherine Easter; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lawrence Margrabe of Florissant, Missouri, who survived Marvin only by several hours. He passed away on the same day.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Herman and Bob Margrabe; and four sisters, Rita Todt, Norma Dick, MaryAnn Curtis and Doris Margrabe.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., with parish rosary at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, with the Rev. Bala Swamy Govindu as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Cardinal Glennon Hospital and St. Denis Church.