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Dr. Marvin E. Vercler, DO, age 76, of Constantine, passed away peacefully Monday, March 9, 2009, at his home.
On May 15, 1932, he was born on a farm near Chenoa, Ill., the son of Rudolph and Mildred (Chapman) Vercler.
He attended elementary in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Chenoa High School.
Marvin studied pre-professional education for three years at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman University) and then graduated after four years from the Kansas City College of Osteopathy & Surgery in 1957.
Marvin interned at South Bend Osteopathic Hospital and practiced with physicians at the Culver Clinic in Culver, Ind. He then practiced with Dr. Raymond Houghton at the White Pigeon Clinic for six months. Following this, he opened his own practice in Constantine in April 1960 where he has continued general practice to this day.
On Dec. 2, 1951, Marvin married Gayle Dunham. He later married Joan (Busch) Olsen on July 5, 1971 in South Haven.
Marvin enjoyed local history and worked with the Governor Barry Historical Society for 38 years, where he served as president since 1980. He was also a member of the St. Joseph County Historical Society for 35 years, where he was Historian of the Year in 1985 and served as president from 1985 – 1987. He was Constantine Citizen of the Year in 1975, historian for the Village of Constantine since 1979, Lifetime Honorary Fireman of the local fire department and served two terms on the Constantine School Board.
Marvin was a former member of the Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as president from 1970-1971 and was a Paul Harris Recipient. In 2003 Marvin received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Village of Constantine.
Surviving Marvin are his wife, Joan Vercler of Constantine; daughters, Patsy (Michael) Wertz and Chrissie Lusk; sons, Mark (Gayle) Vercler, Paul Vercler, and Phillip Vercler; stepchildren, Jenny (David) Williams, Michael (Laurie) Olsen and Mark (Melanie) Olsen; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brothers, John (Josephine) Vercler and Francis (Helen) Vercler; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Joseph Vercler in infancy and grandson Zackary Edward Lusk.
Relatives and friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Eley Funeral Home in Constantine. Religious Services will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Missionary Church, 64890 US 131, Constantine, with Pastor Marilyn Schlimgen of the First Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. Interment will be at Constantine Cemetery .
Memorial contributions may be made to Gov. Barry Historical Society or First Congregational United Church of Christ.
