Marvin Edward Powell

To view the live-stream memorial service of

Mr. Marvin Edward Powell,

on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM,

please click the link below:

https://vimeo.com/835835855

SILVER LAKE - Marvin Edward Powell went home to his savior on April 28, 2023.

A celebration of Marvin’s life will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, in Stow. Calling hours are from 9 - 11 AM, with a memorial service immediately following. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the memorial service at the home of Butch and Karen Baer.

The service will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend the memorial service in person. The live-stream lin k is available to view the memorial service.

Marvin was born on September 7, 1933, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, to Walter Lee, Sr. and Ethel Mae Powell.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lois Powell; five sisters, and two brothers. He is survived by his sister, Ethel Stanley, and brother, Douglas Powell (Kathy).

He was a loving father and grandfather to daughters, Kim Stewart (Randy), Karen Baer (Butch), and Kathleen Powell; grandchildren, Alexandra and Hannah Stewart, Madison Baer Holthusen (Stuart), and Hayden Baer.

Marvin grew up on a tobacco farm in Rocky Mount, Virginia. He was number eight of ten children. Marvin often boasted,“six girls and four boys!”. The family farm was a little over 100 acres, and Marvin and his siblings attended a two-room schoolhouse located about two miles from their home. They would walk to school every day. When Marvin was 16 years old, he drove the school bus to the high school then attended classes alongside his siblings and friends.

He journeyed to Ohio at the age of 19, hoping to find work in Cleveland at the tank factories as a welder. Prior to leaving Rocky Mount, Marvin had an auspicious meeting with Russ Eckard, an Ohio resident, having car trouble. That meeting would set the course of Marvin’s future. Shortly after arriving in Ohio, Marvin decided he was not suited for factory work, and he found employment at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home and there he would meet his future wife. Marvin loved to share the story of how he met his wife at a funeral home.

Marvin married Lois Stark on December 26, 1953, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio. Lois was a registered nurse employed at Peoples Hospital, (now Akron General Hospital). Shortly before their wedding, Marvin was drafted by the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. The newlyweds were first stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky and then were transferred to Fort Benning in Georgia. Upon discharge from the Army, Marvin used the GI Bill to attend Howard Trade School to become a drafting engineer. Marvin was employed by Akron Steel Fabricators and finally, Colonial Machine in Kent, Ohio, for more than 35 years. They built their family home on Dayton Avenue in Stow, Ohio, where they would raise their three daughters. Marvin and Lois relocated to Silver Lake, Ohio in 2001. Marvin and Lois celebrated 64 years of marriage before Lois passed away in September 2017.

Marvin could fix almost anything utilizing skills he learned along the way while working on his family's tobacco farm in Virginia, building ships in Newport News, and serving in the United States Army. He personally built their family home on Dayton Avenue in Stow, and then designed and built the remodel of their retirement home in Silver Lake, Ohio. In retirement, Marvin was commandeered to build stages and fire pits for his grandkids to enjoy.

Marvin shared his love of RV camping and travel with his family. Our CB radio handle was “The Busted Five!” We journeyed every year traveling to Rocky Mount to enjoy the Powell Family reunions. We spent many weekends camping at Atwood Lake in Ohio and Cook’s Forest State Park in Pennsylvania. Beach vacations along the east coast, trips to Disney World, and a month-long, cross-country adventure to see the great American West, along with  sixteen road trips to Texas is only a partial list of the years of adventure.

Marvin and Lois were longtime members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio. Marvin wore many hats serving on the church council and as the Sunday school superintendent. He transported shut-ins to and from church, routinely served as an usher, organized spaghetti dinner fund raisers, and utilized his handy-man skills in numerous renovation projects over a span of sixty years of service.

Marvin was often seen walking hand in hand with his daughter, Kathleen, down Dayton Avenue or around Silver Lake. He was actively involved with the Association for Retarded Citizens in Summit County and volunteered his time at the Weaver School and Workshop. Marvin worked deliberately to make a long-term plan to care for Kathleen when he was no longer able to do so himself.

Marvin enjoyed being outdoors and loved to mow the yard and work on the family cars. Throughout his life and into his retirement, Marvin spent time “playing at golf”, (as he would say), in both the Trinity Lutheran Church and Colonial Machine Golf Leagues. He even managed to score a hole in one on the Kent State Golf Course. During winter months, he enjoyed bowling in a league with his son-in-law, Butch, where he earned the nickname - “Marvelous Marv.”

In October of 2018, Marvin moved to Texas to spend time with Kim, Randy, and his granddaughters. He enjoyed milder winters, scenic drives, attending the Methodist Church, and being celebrated as a veteran. He often said, "I grew up as a poor old country boy, but I made it through the rain."  Indeed he did.

Marvin Powell, our father, was a kind and generous man. He was famous for his contagious smile.  Marvin was a “girl dad” who treated his daughters how we deserved to be treated. He loved us unconditionally. He taught us many practical lessons. He showed us that family is everything and that the gift of grace is worth singing about.

Donations in memory of Marvin can be made to:

Trinity Lutheran Church
Please mail checks to:
600 South Water Street
Kent, Ohio 44240
330-673-5445

* OR *

Easter Seals Northern Ohio
(They provide direct services for Marvin’s daughter, Kathleen)
Attention:  Online Giving Coordinator
155 Ken Mar Industrial Parkway
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147
440-324-6600