Marvin B. Valentine Obituary (1929 - 2016)

Marvin Bell Valentine, age 86, of Greenville, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016 in the emergency room at Spectrum Health-United Hospital, Greenville. The son of Melvin William & Bessie May (Johns) Valentine, he was born on December 10, 1929 in Mansfield, Louisiana. A proud United States Marine, Marv attained the rank of Sergeant and was a decorated veteran of the Korean War. While serving in the Marine Corps he fell in love with a fellow Marine, Alice Justine Sullwold, and they were married on October 7, 1953 at the U.S. Navy Submarine Base Chapel at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After both Justine & Marv were discharged, they made their home in Mt. Clemens where Marv learned the tool and die trade, working with his father-in-law and later at Chrysler. In 1969, Marv and his son, Gary, attended the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Idaho and soon after he was offered the job of camp director for the Boy Scouts at Camp Rotary in Clare, where he and Justine spent 31 years. He loved his staff and fellow campers and delighted in knowing the difference that he and Justine made in so many peoples lives. He was also a member of the Roseville Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Justine Valentine, on June 8, 2016. Surviving are their son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Tracy Valentine of Greenville; three granddaughters, Leslie Roberts of Greenville, Shawnna & Rene Cavazos of Pierson, and Ashley & Matt Ray of Greenville; his great grandchildren, Kaden Roberts, Kylie Roberts, Chasity Cavazos, Courtney Cavazos, Chloe Cavazos, Andrew Ray, and Molly Ray; two "adopted" sons, Gabriel Ismaio of Missouri, and Steve Grey of White Cloud; a brother, William Valentine of Texas; and special friend, Dave Patterson of Mt. Pleasant. Visitation with the family was from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in the chapel at Camp Rotary, 3201 S. Clare Avenue, Clare, Michigan 48617. Final interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek. Instead of flowers, Marv would have appreciated contributions in his memory to the Camp Rotary Stewards Fund. Donations may be mailed to: Camp Rotary Stewards Fund, c/o Camp Rotary-Boy Scouts of America, 3201 S. Clare Avenue, Clare, Michigan 48617 Please make checks payable to: Camp Rotary Stewards Fund