Marvin Forsyth

Marvin Forsyth was a man of great strength and character who believed in giving his all to everything he did. He worked hard throughout his life and instilled within his children and grandchildren the importance of a good work ethic as well. It was easy to see that Marvin’s beloved Millie was his true companion with whom he shared an enduring love and established the family he was so proud of. He was well known for his ability to masterfully weave a great story whether it was true or not, and maintaining his great sense of humor no matter the circumstances that life brought him. Marvin was a true gentleman who leaves behind a legacy of strength, perseverance through trials, and hard work that will live on in the hearts and lives of those who follow him.

The decade of the thirties was cloaked in hardship for countless Americans due to the Great Depression that firmly gripped our nation since the end of 1929. By the year 1939, there were still 10 million unemployed despite all the efforts of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. People adapted, adjusted, and did what they could to weather the storms while clinging to hope for the future. It was also in the year 1939 that John “Gordon” and Waive (Westveir) Forsyth shifted their focus to the future in their own family with the birth of their son, Marvin Gordon, on February 13th. Marvin was born in Marcellus, Michigan, as the second of two children in his family including his older sister Janet. From his earliest years, Marvin did his fair share of farming work, learning the ropes as he went. He attended local schools including Schoolcraft High School where he played football, baseball, and basketball, and he was also in the band.

After graduating from high school in 1957, great and exciting changes were in store for Marvin involving a certain young girl. Her name was Mildred “Millie” Irwin and they were introduced through mutual friends. Although she attended Three Rivers schools, a relationship blossomed between Marvin and Millie. After falling deeply in love, the couple was united in marriage on December 29, 1957. God blessed them with four children over the years that followed: Ronda, Randy, Wanda, and Cindy. Marvin supported his family by continuing to work on his father’s farm, G. Forsyth & Son.

As the nation slipped into a deep recession during 1982, Marvin left the farm in order to find work elsewhere. He secured employment as a service manager for Decatur Equipment-Allis Chalmers Dealership. Marvin also worked as a mechanic at Central Transport, Bainbridge Enterprises, and Fader Equipment. He continued to farm part-time, running the remainder of the family farm with his son Randy and grandson Travis until he finally retired from the industry in 2001.

Through the years, much of Marvin’s time was spent working tirelessly between his full-time job and the demands of the farm. He was able to get some time for himself, however. Marvin’s passion was colleting antique tractors, particularly Allis-Chalmers and Olivers, and he also collected coins. He was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. When his family grew to include grandchildren, Marvin loved spending time with his family whenever time allowed, especially at the river. He helped with the St. Joseph County 4-H and also with the South County EMTs for 10 years. Marvin had rental properties in Three Rivers, too, but nothing topped a great day on the St. Joseph River, fishing in his pontoon boat. When it came to music, country music was the only music in Marvin’s repertoire.

There were so many things that made Marvin such a special man who was dearly loved. He was serious when he needed to be, but he was also accompanied by his great sense of humor. It seemed Marvin could always come up with a story and whether or not his stories were true, they were always good ones. It was important to Marvin that he instilled within his children and grandchildren the necessity of a strong work ethic, but in his own lighthearted way. He loved telling them, “Don’t stand around and suck your thumb,” or repeatedly reminding them of the old cliché that there are never any free lunches in life.

Over the years, Marvin shared such a special relationship with his true love, Millie. Even though they divorced after 18 years of marriage, the couple remained friends. They later found their way back to one another as they reunited and spent the last 10 years of Marvin’s life together although they never officially remarried.

Marvin Forsyth was a hard worker, a family man, and a true gift to those who loved him. He never shied away from any task whether large or small, but he made time to enjoy the best things in life, too. Marvin was a master of adapting to the circumstances that life brought his way, never letting life get the best of him. His family will forever embrace the lessons Marvin taught them while keeping the precious memories they made together near and dear to their hearts. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Marvin G. Forsyth of Vicksburg died on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Marvin’s family includes: his wife, Millie; four children: Ronda (Bob) Armstrong, of White Pigeon; Randy (Dawn) Forsyth, of Vicksburg; Wanda (Mark) Howlett, of WA; Cindy (Mitch) Chapman, of Vicksburg; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren with two more on the way; and one sister, Janet Beals of Schoolcraft. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697). There will be no memorial service. Please visit Marvin’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to American Heart Association, St. Joseph County 4-H, and/or South County Fire Authority.