Marvin Coleman was born June 3, 1938, to Annette and Fay at Pedro, South Dakota at home. The family moved east of Philip, South Dakota and later moved to the family farm north of Cottonwood. Marvin attended high school at Quinn, South Dakota. He quit school at the age of 16 when his father became ill to help on the ranch. He served in the South Dakota National Guard.
Marvin was united in marriage to Phyllis O’Dea on November 27, 1964. To this union were born three children: Dawn, Kevin, and Mark.
Marvin was a great neighbor and friend to all. Many remember him butchering and cutting meat and have passed that knowledge on. He served on the Conservational District Board and with the help of his grandkids planted and tended a lot of trees. In his later years he calved heifers for several local people.
His nieces, nephews, and many local kids remember Marvin as a fun loving but stern man. Marvin’s friends and neighbors remember him as a selfless person who would help anyone with anything….and that was ALWAYS right (even when he knew he was wrong).
Marvin’s kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids remember him as a wonderful teacher of life skills and for being stern but loving. Marvin enjoyed all kids, and they loved him.
Survivors include his wife Phyllis of Quinn; daughter Dawn (James) Tribitt of Castlewood; two sons Kevin Coleman of Quinn and Mark (Patty) Coleman of Quinn; 7 grandchildren: Kody (Stephanie), Kasey, Logan (Tia), Cassandra, Aidan, Dexter (Shanda Rae), and JD; 9 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Dylan, Emma, Angel, Zaedyn, Kyson, Eila, Ensley, and Alita; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Fay and Annette "Babe" Coleman; two brothers Robert "Bob" Coleman and Alvin Coleman; and three sisters Myrna Gottsleben, Alice Bowman, and Patty Aashiem.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, at the American Legion Hall in Philip with Deacon Lloyd Frein officiating.
Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
Guest Book
Dear Phyllis and family,
Thanks to Dawn I saw the passing of Marvin this morning on Facebook. Eternal rest to Marvin and sympathy, peace and love to you and all the family. I have fond memories of Marvin and his kind, gentle and good-humored manner.
Too many losses in your family in recent months.
With sympathy,
Peg O'Dea and John Lippert
~ Peg O'Dea Lippert
1112 Limerick Road (1/12/2023)
Dear Phyllis and family, so sorry for your loss. We have so many good memories with your family. Working sheep together, picking wild grapes, milking goats... One specific memory I have with Marvin is when we were checking cattle in a blue or blue and white pickup he had and it didn't have a hood and we hit a pretty good bump in the pasture and the battery comes flying out and is dangling by the wires outside of the pickup. I was a little shocked and maybe worried but Marvin just gets out and calmly puts it back in place and we head back. It was fine... What a good neighbor.
~ Amy (Wilsey) Schmoller
Gordon, NE 69343 (1/12/2023)
I have many fond memories of Uncle Marvin. When I was a kid, we would drive out to South Dakota from Seattle for vacations at the ranch. Uncle Marvin always had time and patience for this "city kid." I remember helping feed bum lambs from 7-Up bottles, being a bit traumatized by docking lamb tails, and riding along to the check on cattle. There always seemed to be a series of vehicles (like an old conversion van) used for those off-road adventures. Following a family reunion in 2007, my own 3 sons (age 5 at the time) got to go with Uncle Marvin on one of those off-road adventures to look for fossils. I looked in the back seat of the truck and they were wide-eyed, but grinning ear to ear. Those times with Uncle Marvin had a big impact on us all! He was a good man.
~ Shirley (Coleman) Baker
Gainesville, Florida (1/15/2023)
January 10, 1960, Marvin stopped at Raymond and Theresa Clements for coffee, got stuck leaving and delayed them heading to town..I was born on the way to town. Marvin always let me test the homemade grape wine, and held a special place in my heart. So sorry to hear of his loss. He will be missed, memories remembered always.
~ Rosemarie Bennett
Philip (1/12/2023)
Sending condolences to the Coleman family. Marvin was a great gentleman.
~ Tom Carmichael
301 E. 5th St. Oakland NE (1/12/2023)
Thanks for your service
~ A VETERAN
(1/16/2023)
Sorry for your loss....
~ Brandon Cuppy
Tea,SD (1/12/2023)
Our deepest sympathy to your family. So many wonderful memories of Marvin.
~ Joyce and Ed
Belle Fourche (1/11/2023)
We are thinking of you folks during this difficult time. Hold on to all the memories. What a kind man, he will be missed.
~ Les & Joann Pearson
Philip, SD (1/16/2023)
With all of this snow we recently recieved I was thinking about all of the sledding parties our 4-H builders had on the big hill at Marvin's. I suppose it was cold but what I remember was Fun, Fun, Fun. Marvin and Larry Gabriel would pull us to the top of the hill on snowmobiles so we could sail down the hill again. The afternoon was finished inside to warm up with hot chocolate. Wonderful memories, thank-you. My thoughts are with you
~ Ruby I Gabriel
Pedro, SD (1/13/2023)
We were so sorry to hear of Marvin's passing. He was such a great man. Our kids loved when he would stop to visit and often shouted a "Marvin's here!" at the top of their lungs. I hope you all know he will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We pray for your strength and comfort to get through the coming days. Hugs to you all!
~ Tucker & Jess Smith
Grindstone (1/13/2023)
Dear Phyllis and family, My sister said she saw a notice on Facebook about Marvin's death. Although, I never met your husband, my sister said he was a very nice man. Please accept my sympathy. There have been way too many deaths in your O'Dea family since last summer. Take care of each other and cherish the memories.
~ Mary O'Dea Runyon
Leawod, KS (1/11/2023)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Marvin was a wonderful, one of a kind man. He will truly be missed by so many. God Bless you
~ Chancie Baenen
LEAD (1/17/2023)