Marvin L. Blackburn

Marvin L. Blackburn, 95, of Parsons, passed away the morning of Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.  His final days were peaceful and spent surrounded by his family.

Marvin was born on May 24, 1929, in Parsons to Roy and Marvelle (Wheelock) Blackburn.  He grew up and attended school in the Dennis area, graduating from Dennis High School.  Marvin served in the United States Army as a Corporal from 1951 to 1953 serving in the Korean War.

After being honorably discharged, Marvin returned to the Parsons area, where he farmed and worked for the MKT Railroad.  Marvin worked as a mechanical inspector, foreman and supervisor for the MKT Railroad for 27 years before retiring in 1989.  After retirement from the railroad, Marvin delivered propane for the Altamont Co-op and continued farming.

He was a member of the Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont.

A talented singer, Marvin was the lead singer for a country western band, Marvin and His Saddle Pals, in his early years.  In retirement, he loved singing and performing karaoke at local senior centers, senior citizens dances and nursing homes.  After moving into Good Samaritan in December, Marvin continued to share his talent and preformed several times for his fellow residents, with his last performance just days before his death.

For over 15 years, Marvin helped manage the Altoona Senior Citizens Dances.  He rarely missed a dance and made countless new friends over the years.

He was a member of the former Southeast Kansas Mounted Posse.  Marvin tended to multiple miniature ponies and horses over the years.  He particularly enjoyed leading his miniature ponies through local parades and sharing them with anyone that visited.

Marvin certainly enjoyed singing, dancing, and showing off his miniature ponies, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

On June 4, 1950, Marvin and Donna Philips were united in marriage.  Together they welcomed two sons and one daughter and were married for 24 years.  She preceded him in death on February 18, 1975.  He and Louise Langston were united in marriage on August 16, 1975.  They were married for nearly 27 years.  She preceded him in death on August 8, 2002.  On March 27, 2003, Marvin and Marie Lavon Wilson were united in marriage.  They celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary earlier this year.  She survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

Four children –

Kent Blackburn and his wife, Teressa, of Dennis, Kansas

Cheryl Thomas and her husband, Gene, of Altamont, Kansas

Jason Langston and his wife, Taffy, of Parsons, Kansas

Paul Wilson and his wife, Andrea, of Papua, New Guinea

Daughter-in-law – Cheryl Langston of Shell Knob, Missouri

14 grandchildren

11 great-grandchildren

One great-great-grandchild

Several nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; his second wife, Louise; five children, Phil Blackburn, Mike Langston, Janice Cummings, Mike Wilson, and Dan Wilson; two grandchildren, Justin Langston and Chase Langston; one great-grandchild, Ridge Blackburn; and two sisters, Marjorie Adams and Linda Warren.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in rural Dennis.

Memorials are suggested to Altoona Days Association to help support the senior citizen dances Marvin loved so much.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.