Marvin Earl Longden

Marvin Earl Longden, age 86, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Friday, November 5, 2010. Marvin entered this world January 19, 1924, at Chamberlain, S.D., the son of Earl Porter and Florence Reimer Longden. He graduated from Sturgis, S.D. High School and attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, Company B, 312 Combat Engineers, 87th Infantry Division, E.T.O. 3rd Army (Patton) on the front lines at the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of the Ardennes, and Battle of Central Europe. At the USO in Jefferson City, Marvin met the love of his life, Nancy Stark, and in 1946 they were married. For 40 years the state of Missouri was fortunate to have Marvin working in various capacities for the Missouri Department of Transportation, finally retiring as Senior Structural Steel Inspector. He served as usher and Sunday school teacher for the First United Methodist Church; was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 87th Infantry Division Association, AARP, ARMSE; and volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Capital Region Medical Center, Charles E. Still Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and St. Mary's Sleep Center. Marvin loved his God, his family and his country. He served his country willingly after having enlisted during the Second World War. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, bowling, and his pets - particularly the Dachshunds. He had a good sense of humor and will be sadly missed. He is survived by his two daughters: Jan Tofani and her husband Ed of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Marla Clark and her husband Gary of Jefferson City, Mo.; two grandchildren, Kelley Barnard of Jefferson City, Mo., and Mitch Bolden and his wife Kate of North Tonawanda, N.Y.; two great-granddaughters, Brienna Barnard and Mercedes Barnard of Jefferson City, Mo. Also surviving is one sister, Vera Zastrow of Wessington Springs, S.D. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Mildred Stark Longden; as well as his three brothers, Glen Longden, Roland Longden, Floyd Longden; and sister, Nora Jane Hohn. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 11, 2010, in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Dumas officiating. Committal services and entombment with military honors will be in the mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be immediately before the memorial service from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Church Funds: Benevolence Fund, the Food Pantry, or the East Side Community Outreach Building Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com