Marvin G. Ferrell

OBITUARY: Marvin Gale Ferrell
Marvin Gale Ferrell, 85, Topeka, died Fri., Dec. 7, 2012. He was born Dec. 20, 1926, in the North Cedar community west of Valley Falls, the son of John V. and Ethel R. (Bedwell) Ferrell.
He graduated from Valley Falls High School and Chillicothe Business College. He served in the U.S. Navy (WW II) and Navy Reserve, and attended Fly Harbor Flying Service at Valley Falls. He worked as a carpenter in the Valley Falls community and built two of his family homes. He was a machinist at DuPont from 1959 until retiring in 1985.
Following his retirement, he became an avid cyclist and runner, having participated in events all over the country. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, and antique tractors. He attended the WW II Honor Flight to Washington, DC, in Nov., 2011. He was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at the time of his death.
In 1949, he was married to Bernadine Joy Vandenbos. They lived in Valley Falls where they raised their four children until their divorce in 1976.
Surviving are daughters: Vicki Buening (Larry) of Topeka, Dr. Linda Ferrell (Rick Tombari) of San Francisco, CA, and Joy Ferrell of St. Joseph, MO; a son: Scot Ferrell (Anna) of Castro Valley, CA; a sister: Jean Paul of Modesto, CA; a brother: Kenneth Ferrell of Meriden; grandchildren: Lindsey Buening Harding, Jason Buening, and Kayla Ferrell; great-granddaughter: Ciera Harding; and special friend: Mary Ottiwell of Topeka. He was surrogate father to Jeff Ferrell, Julie Ferrell-Thompson, and Jena Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Vernon Ferrell; and a sister: Joyce Knox.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Wed., Dec. 12, 2012, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1821 SW 37th. Military honors will be conducted by Grahem-Herbers V.F.W. Post # 3084 at 1:00 PM, Wed., at Valley Falls Cemetery. Marvin will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Tues., at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans organization of the donor's choice or St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1821 SW 37th, Topeka, KS 66611.