Marvin Harrell

Marvin R. Harrell, 75, Rogersville, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, in Bolivar, Missouri, after a 4-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on January 15, 1950, to Mac and Selma Harrell in Wheaton, Missouri. He grew up in the Wheaton and Butterfield, Missouri areas. After graduating from high school, he attended School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri and upon graduation, he moved to New York, where he trained at a culinary school.
Returning to Missouri, Marvin owned a restaurant for a time. He then worked for the Assemblies of God Publishing House as Assistant to the Food Service Director, where he spent 14 years managing ordering, banquets, and food preparation. He later worked for Lafferty and Company Food Brokers as the Springfield Branch Manager until 1987. He subsequently joined Menu Marketing Food Brokers based in Belton, Missouri, also as the Springfield Branch Manager retiring from the food service industry in 2012.
After retiring, Marvin took on part-time jobs to stay active. These included positions at 166 Auto Auction, Gamma Healthcare, Century 21 Real Estate, and most recently, Costco.
Marvin never met a stranger and had a host of friends from coast to coast. He was always willing to help anyone in need, regardless of the reason. His greatest enjoyment and passion was cooking and preparing large meals for family gatherings, holiday events, and birthdays for friends.
He is survived by two sisters, Sue Brown and June Ballay, along with several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Selma Harrell; two brothers, Charles (Deacon) Harrell and Gary Harrell; a sister, Shirlene Intessimone; and brother-in-law Larry Brown.
Life's Mirror
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true:
Then give to the world the best that you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your work and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And the smile which is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thought outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best that you have
And the best will come back to you.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Chitwood Cemetery, Wheaton, Missouri under the direction of the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CMH Hospice in Bolivar, Missouri, the American Cancer Society, or a local animal shelter of your choice.