Marvin Vetter, Sr

Marvin Stewart Vetter, Sr. passed away at 8:44 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at the age of 68.

He was born Aug. 21, 1945, in Louisville, Ky., the son of the late Elmer E. and Carolyn (Kraha) Vetter.

His loving wife of 44 years, Mary Jude (Flechler) Vetter, survives him in Van Wert, Ohio.

Marvin was well loved by his six children: Mary Elizabeth (Mike) Holtsberry, Amy (Brandon) Grime, Erin (Steve Salazar) Vetter, Alexander (Misty Couch) Vetter, all of Van Wert, M. Stewart (Melissa) Vetter, Jr. of Bellevue, and Adam (Sarah Boys) Vetter of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and fourteen grandchildren: Matthew Holtsberry, Jamie and Jason Dull, Brady, Anna and Sierra Grime, Leslie, Payton and Kristine Rison, Hannah, Jude and Ariah Vetter, of Van Wert, and Zachary and Evan Vetter of Bellevue.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother Elmer E. (June) Vetter, Jr. and his wife Wilma, brother William (Bill) Vetter and his wife Dolores, and brother Gerard Vetter, all of Louisville, Ky.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of their Uncle Marvin.

Marvin was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and was proud to have been a Eucharistic minister.

He was dedicated to his faith and service to others. He was Fourth Degree member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus where he served as a past Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus 6034 council, and coordinated the Lenten fish fry for a number of years. He served as the Right to Life coordinator for one year for the Ohio Knights of Columbus. Most important to him in service, Marvin felt it was his calling to help form young leaders through the Columbian Squires youth group. Together with his good friend, Rev. F. Richard Snoke, he volunteered for more than 10 years as State Squires Director for the Ohio Knights of Columbus, and was always happy to hear of the lives and successes of the young men he met through the Squires.

Marvin spent most of his career as a draftsman, detailing steel buildings for Republic Steel, Stran, and Varco Pruden after being transferred from Louisville, Ky., to Van Wert in 1977.

In 2007 Marvin and his wife Mary Jude opened The Main Street Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Van Wert where he found happiness in the smiles of children as he served them ice cream with a smiley face. It warmed his heart to be recognized by his young patrons and their families around town and to hear that children often requested to go the ice cream parlor for dinner.

Friends and family may call from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. A Knights of Columbus Rosary service will be held at 7:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Van Wert, with the Rev. Charles Obinwa officiating. Burial will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.

Preferred memorials are to the family to assist with medical expenses.