Obituary

Marvin Dale Esau passed away Oct. 25, 2014, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

He was born on May 21, 1930, in Walton, to Otto and Emilie Esau. He attended Walton Grade School and Walton High School, graduating in 1948. He was originally a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. He married Gladys Ruth Woelk on Nov. 6, 1949, at the Walton Mennonite Church, and in 1956 joined the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. He spent his entire life in Walton.

While in high school, he was the star of the basketball team and helped on the family farm right outside of Walton delivering milk and cream to local residents. Upon graduation, he worked at a local dairy, John Deere, and the privately owned Walton Grain Company until 1957. In 1958 he organized local farmers to invest in the Farmers Grain Cooperative where he was general manager until his retirement in 1995. In 1984, he and his son John organized local investors to buy the Walton State Bank where he was chairman of the board from 1984 until his death.  Marvin's favorite thing to do was to support and attend his children's, grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's events, including sports, music, robotics and high school and college graduations. He and Gladys loved to travel and did so whenever possible. He was an accomplished carpenter and woodworker. He helped refurbish the Walton State Bank and built their home in Walton. Upon Gladys' diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease, he became her primary caregiver and did absolutely everything he could do to help her.

Marvin was on the Walton Fire Department for 53 years, with more than 20 of those as chief. He was a member of the Walton Lions Club for over 50 years and the Walton City Council for over 50 years. He volunteered at the Walton Grade School and Asbury Park.

Marvin is survived by his children, Donna (Keith) Woolery of North Newton, Linda (David) Miller of Wichita, Becky (Dwaine) Esau of Newton, and John (Shirley) Esau of Walton. His son, Dwaine and wife, Gladys preceded him in death.  He is also survived by grandchildren, Jacki (Chris) Epp of Wichita, Jesse Woolery (Libby Quigg) of Denton, Texas, Danielle Woolery (Orlando Scalia) of Denton, Texas, Joshua Esau of Wichita, Matthew (Jennifer) Esau of Emporia, Brianna Esau of Newton, Andrew Esau of Walton and Adam Esau of Newton, and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Austin Epp of Wichita, Avery Gates of Newton, Logan Esau of Peabody, Seth and Kamryn Esau of Newton, Venezia Quigg-Woolery of Denton, Texas, Isaac Esau of Emporia, and three brothers, Lawrence (Hattie) Esau and Merlin (Bonita) Esau of Newton, and Glenn (Claudette) Esau of Walton, plus many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m., with burial at the Walton Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petersen's Funeral Home. A memorial has been established in care of Peterson's Funeral Home in Newton for the Walton Fire Department.