Marvin D. McReynolds passed away Monday, December 2, 2019 at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas, at the age of 94. He was born on February 13, 1925 in Rooks County on a farm south of Woodston. Marvin was the youngest son to the late Harlan and Effie (Lamm) McReynolds. His siblings were Emery, Leona Nichols, and Esther Newlin.
Marvin was united in marriage to Esther “Elizabeth” (Auchard) McReynolds on December 21, 1944 in Woodston. They lived on the farm to which Marvin was born until 1987 where they relocated to Stockton. To this union they had three sons; Jerry Cecil, Stanley Gene, and Tony Marvin.
Marvin and Elizabeth traveled widely to all fifty states and eighty foreign countries. He was an avid farmer and gave all his energies to it. Marvin was a strong believer in the organized church and for more than 20 of his productive years, he volunteered three to four months each year to the United Methodist Church at the District, Conference, General, and World levels. Marvin was also elected five Quadrennia as a delegate to the General Conference and six time delegate to the Jurisdictional Conference. He had served sixteen years on General Boards of the denomination and many years on the World Methodist Council and its Executive Committee. He also coordinated Lay Witness Weekends in five states along with Lay Renewal Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Marriage and Family Retreats. He and Elizabeth were nationally certified leaders in marriage enrichment. He served as Kansas West Conference Lay Leader for eight years and was on many boards and agencies of the Conference and the Concordia district. He was a Charter Trustee of the United Methodist Health and Ministry Fund.
In 1976 he was selected as Master Farmer of Kansas and served as President, Chaplain, and other offices of that prestigious organization. He was honored with Kansas Beef awards in 1960’s and Conservation and Leadership awards. He also served as treasurer of Heartland Hospice, was a part of The Caring Program for Children, a 4-H Leader, school board member, county school reorganization committee, Farmer Home Administration, Farm Bureau Board, and was a past president at Mt. Ayr Camp for many years, and numerous other committees and boards.
A devoted Christian and family man, Marvin will be greatly missed by the countless lives he touched and by all who knew him, but his life and memory will continue to have an impact for eternity. His selflessness to his God, his Church, and his family will be remembered by all.
He is survived by his sons, Jerry McReynolds and wife Diane of Woodston, and Tony McReynolds and wife Wynn of Stockton; six grandchildren, Shawn McReynolds, Renee Laird, Michelle Ziegler and husband Gary, Joel McReynolds and wife Jennifer, Aron McReynolds and wife Laura, and Sara McReynolds; and ten great-grandchildren Ava, Andrew, Avery, Maggie, Julia, Jacey, Jasiah, Gabriel, Micah and Gracia.
Marvin is preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Effie McReynolds; wife Elizabeth McReynolds; infant son, Stanley McReynolds; and siblings, Emery McReynolds, Leona Nichols, and Esther Newlin.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Stockton starting at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Plumer Overlease Fuenral Home in Stockton from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Memorials have been suggested to the Rooks County Health Center, United Methodist Church of Stockton, or Solomon Valley Manor and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 North First, Stockton, KS 67669.