Marvin Matthews, 96, of Wessington, passed away, March 10, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at his home.

Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller.  Burial will be at 1:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Wessington.  A visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2022, followed by a prayer service all at the church.

Marvin was born at home near Wessington, February 5, 1926, to Charlie and Lizzie Matthews. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wessington. He joined an older brother, Ralph, and a sister, Gladyce. His growing up years were on the farm north of the county line, later moving to the Seivers farm and attending the Brown School. Many happy hours were spent riding a pony and visiting with his best friend, Harold Brown. He attended Wessington High School and graduated in May 1944. He enjoyed the sport of boxing and basketball, touching a basketball for the first time as a freshman.

Marvin was drafted into the United States Army. In March 1945, he received Army khakis at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri before attending boot camp at Camp Hood in Texas. This farm boy learned about traveling around the country by bus and train. He was on his way to his deployment ship at Fort Adare, Oregon, when the atomic bomb was dropped, ending World War II. He shipped out and was part of the Occupation Forces, serving in the Philippines and later Japan. He served in the Financial Department of General MacArthur’s Head Quarters in Tokyo. Many of the service men there were from this area, so he felt close to home.  Following his honorable discharge in December 1946, he joined his father in farming. He farmed for the rest of his life.

Marvin and Rita Naughton were joined in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Highmore, SD, on November 16, 1953. Their first home was in Santa Monica, California, where he worked as a press operator for Douglas Aircraft in Torrence, later in El Segundo. In 1958, they joined Rita’s Uncle, Cuthbert Yackley, in a partnership where they farmed and ranched near Onida. Then, Marvin purchased the Rusty Galbreath farm northeast of Wessington in 1962, where they spent 50 years enjoying friends of his youth. In 2011, Marvin and Rita moved to Wessington where they enjoyed many years of town living.

Marvin’s life revolved around his family, thoroughly enjoying his children and grandchildren as they grew and thrived. In later years, he enjoyed researching in the museum, driving in the country, and recounting the days of yore. His 96th birthday was a milestone for him. Having learned from his granddad, Theo Dessonville, as a child, Marv was a sharp card player. The State Fair was an anticipated annual event to visit old and new friends, look at displays, and participate in the Salute to Veterans. In 2018, he was honored as a WWII vet at the Red Wilk Bull Event.

Marvin served on many boards, including the Wessington School Board.  He served as the adjutant of the Watson-Krauter American Legion Post for 35 years and was a 75-year member, active locally and in the state organization.  For more than 50 years he served on the Beadle County Weed Board for Whiteside Township.  He belonged to the Catholic Order of Forresters, Community Club, and the Wessington Museum.  Marvin was a member of Saint Joseph’s and Saint Ann’s Catholic Churches, being a lector and the bell ringer. In 1968, he was appointed sexton of the Catholic Cemetery and faithfully served in that position for the rest of his life. He volunteered for numerous activities, such as the laying the cement foundation of the American Legion, Housing Development apartments, and the Wessington gymnasium.  Three generations of Matthews helped shingle the gym.

Marvin leaves behind to mourn all his beloved family and a beautiful community of friends; his wife of 68 years, Rita; children: Jean (Dean Hohm), Piedmont, SD, William (Lynn), Easton, MA, George (Tracy), Grand Junction, CO, Gary (Dionn), Peyton, CO, Mary (David Davies), Phoenix, AZ, Gail (Jon Wingert), Rapid City, SD, and Jennifer (Keith Starks), Aberdeen, SD; twenty-six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Ralph and wife, Bertha; and sister, Gladyce and husband, Wilburn Larson.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Marv’s arrangements.

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