Marvin L. Wilsey of Elkhart, Ind., passed away peacefully on March 6, 2023, at the age of 85. Known for his outgoing, positive attitude, Marv never met a stranger and was loved by so many for his humor, generosity, and especially his storytelling. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, church community, and all who knew him.

Marvin Leroy Wilsey was born in Elkhart, Ind., on September 28, 1937, the eldest of four children born to Robert Leroy Wilsey and Georgia Maxine Darr. He lived in Elkhart his whole life and graduated from Elkhart High School in 1955. It was in high school that he met his beloved wife, Elvira, after a friend introduced them on a blind date. The couple married on May 11, 1957, and remained in Elkhart, where they raised their four children. Marvin followed in his father's footsteps and trained as a tool and die maker, a profession he practiced for more than four decades. He worked for G & S Machine & Tool for many years before joining the staff of Walerko Tool & Engineering, where he retired in 2000. Marvin was a 50-year member of the Moose Lodge (Goshen #836), where he served as Treasurer, Junior Governor, and Governor among other officer positions and in 1992 was honored as a Pilgrim of the Order, the organization's highest honor bestowed on members of meritorious service.

In the 1950s and 1960s, he served as an Auxiliary Police Officer in Elkhart and volunteered with the local civil defense corps. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. When his children were young, he coached bowling and served as a scout leader. Later in his life, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Marvin joined Cornerstone Baptist Church in Elkhart, where he served as a deacon and loved helping with Vacation Bible School each year. He loved sharing his faith with others and would often do so, even and especially in his later years when he was in and out of hospitals and doctors offices.

Marvin is survived by Elvira, his wife of 65 years, as well as his daughter Kim (John) Billman of Goshen and sons Mike (Paige) Wilsey of South Bend, Steve Wilsey of South Bend, and Scott (Lari) Wilsey of Loveland, Colo.; five grandchildren, Bambi (Matt) Mroz of Manchester, Conn., Chris (Sylvia) Billman of Goshen, Lindsay Brenneman of Goshen, Riley Wolff of South Bend, and Cassidy Wolff of South Bend; four great-grandchildren, Anaiya, Bayleigh, Corbin, and Eleanor; two sisters, Ruth (Bruce) Schiller of San Rafael, Calif., and Jean (Bob) Bishop of Kalamazoo, Mich., and a brother Edwin (Marsha) Wilsey of Okeechobee, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who was always willing to offer a helping hand or a word of advice anytime he could (and he was, of course, always right!). The family is grateful to the staff at Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart and the Center for Hospice Care in Mishawaka for their careful and gentle care for Marvin in the last weeks of his life.

Marvin's life will be celebrated at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Elkhart, Ind., on Saturday, March 18, 2023, with a visitation time at 12:00 P.M. and a service at 1:00 P.M. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Memorial flowers may be directed to the church or memorial donations in Marvin's memory may be made to the church or the charity of your choice. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family with arrangements.

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