Marvin Eugene “Gene” Correll
Marvin Eugene “Gene” Correll
7-7-1931 to 1-22-2022
Marvin Eugene Correll passed away late on the night of January 22 with his wife of 67 years, Marlene, at his side. Known as Gene, he was a kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Born July 7, 1931, in Wausau, Wisconsin, Gene traveled as a young child with his parents as they pastored churches throughout the Midwest. The family settled in California where he spent most of his adult years. As a child he would sing on stage at church and later in life would remark on how good his voice was! He had fond memories of living in 1940s Los Angeles and taking the trolley around town, often by himself.
He met Marlene in 1951 and the courtship that began soon after continued through his years with the Marine Corps—while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Kaneohe Bay on Oahu, and in Japan. He was a true romantic who shared his life and love for Marlene in the regular letters he wrote to her. Marlene lived for those letters, especially during a period she was confined to bed with polio.
Gene proposed to Marlene while they were sitting in his 1942 Ford Coupe in front of Marlene’s family home in Anaheim, California. They married in June 1954 just 3 months after his military service ended and lived in a $60/month apartment above his grandparent’s garage in nearby Brea. One year later, they welcomed their first child, Marlynne and moved to their first home. That home began to fill up quickly with the births of four more children: Michael, Daren, Kevin, and Lisa.
Gene was a life-long grocer—having had a lengthy career as a Safeway manager. He was adored and respected by co-workers and customers alike. He was dedicated to his profession and to family trip planning! Gene would spend months planning family vacations, researching routes and sites along the way using a well-worn Rand McNally Road Atlas and his “magic” pencil.
His most cherished travel spot was the Hawaiian Islands. He absolutely loved Hawaii. Besides his time in Hawaii as a Marine, he also attended high school for part of his senior year in Honolulu. He returned in 1969 with Marlene courtesy of a trip he won at work through a Van De Kamp’s bakery sales promotion. It was the first of many trips to Hawaii with the love of his life.
He loved to play cards, especially pinochle, was a huge football/USC Trojan fan, and an avid reader of paperbacks by Tom Clancy, Lee Childs, and John Grisham. In retirement, Gene and Marlene lived in Big Bear City, California and then Bullhead City, Arizona. They travelled to see as many of their grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations, and special events as possible. Grandpa had a cute way to pronounce each of his grandkids’ names and made them feel special every time he said their names and nicknames.
Gene is survived by Marlene, and daughters Marlynne Thomson (Michael), Lisa Faulkner (Mark) and sons Michael (Suzanne), Daren (Sheri), Kevin (Jan), fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Although preceded in death by his parents, Inez and Carroll Correll, siblings Carol Jones, Richard “Dick” Correll, and William “Bill” Correll, Gene is also survived by his brother Ken Correll, “Uncle” Gene Blackmore, “Aunt” Susie Morrison, many cousins, and brother-in-law Thomas (Rosemary) Rodger.
A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, April 15, 11AM, at First Baptist Church, 1700 Palma Way, Bullhead City, Arizona.
7-7-1931 to 1-22-2022
Marvin Eugene Correll passed away late on the night of January 22 with his wife of 67 years, Marlene, at his side. Known as Gene, he was a kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Born July 7, 1931, in Wausau, Wisconsin, Gene traveled as a young child with his parents as they pastored churches throughout the Midwest. The family settled in California where he spent most of his adult years. As a child he would sing on stage at church and later in life would remark on how good his voice was! He had fond memories of living in 1940s Los Angeles and taking the trolley around town, often by himself.
He met Marlene in 1951 and the courtship that began soon after continued through his years with the Marine Corps—while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Kaneohe Bay on Oahu, and in Japan. He was a true romantic who shared his life and love for Marlene in the regular letters he wrote to her. Marlene lived for those letters, especially during a period she was confined to bed with polio.
Gene proposed to Marlene while they were sitting in his 1942 Ford Coupe in front of Marlene’s family home in Anaheim, California. They married in June 1954 just 3 months after his military service ended and lived in a $60/month apartment above his grandparent’s garage in nearby Brea. One year later, they welcomed their first child, Marlynne and moved to their first home. That home began to fill up quickly with the births of four more children: Michael, Daren, Kevin, and Lisa.
Gene was a life-long grocer—having had a lengthy career as a Safeway manager. He was adored and respected by co-workers and customers alike. He was dedicated to his profession and to family trip planning! Gene would spend months planning family vacations, researching routes and sites along the way using a well-worn Rand McNally Road Atlas and his “magic” pencil.
His most cherished travel spot was the Hawaiian Islands. He absolutely loved Hawaii. Besides his time in Hawaii as a Marine, he also attended high school for part of his senior year in Honolulu. He returned in 1969 with Marlene courtesy of a trip he won at work through a Van De Kamp’s bakery sales promotion. It was the first of many trips to Hawaii with the love of his life.
He loved to play cards, especially pinochle, was a huge football/USC Trojan fan, and an avid reader of paperbacks by Tom Clancy, Lee Childs, and John Grisham. In retirement, Gene and Marlene lived in Big Bear City, California and then Bullhead City, Arizona. They travelled to see as many of their grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations, and special events as possible. Grandpa had a cute way to pronounce each of his grandkids’ names and made them feel special every time he said their names and nicknames.
Gene is survived by Marlene, and daughters Marlynne Thomson (Michael), Lisa Faulkner (Mark) and sons Michael (Suzanne), Daren (Sheri), Kevin (Jan), fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Although preceded in death by his parents, Inez and Carroll Correll, siblings Carol Jones, Richard “Dick” Correll, and William “Bill” Correll, Gene is also survived by his brother Ken Correll, “Uncle” Gene Blackmore, “Aunt” Susie Morrison, many cousins, and brother-in-law Thomas (Rosemary) Rodger.
A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, April 15, 11AM, at First Baptist Church, 1700 Palma Way, Bullhead City, Arizona.