Marvellen Dunwoody
Last Updated on October 1, 2024 by Cass County Communication Network
Marvellen (Nicklas) Dunwoody, age 96, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Born January 14, 1928, in Perrysville, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Otto John Theodore and Beulah Clea (Asbury) Nicklas.
Married August 13, 1950, in Osborn Prairie Christian Church near Stone Bluff, she was the wife of the late David Benjamin Dunwoody.
Marvellen graduated from Veedersburg High School in 1946, where she received the D.A.R. Homemakers Award. She was employed at the Dentist Office of Dr. Charles Lowry from 1970 until her retirement.
A dedicated member of Church of the Good Shepherd (First United Methodist Church), Marvellen joined in 1954 and became active in numerous church activities and service. She was a member of the Metholite Sunday School Class since 1950, and she taught young children in nursery classrooms and Sunday School. Helping to organize the Twilighters Group, she became a charter member for 25 years where she was able to enjoy trips and planned outings. She was also an active member of the women’s New Life Guild and kept attendance records for each Sunday School Class. She enjoyed music and participated in the church’s Bell Choir group, performing for 15 years.
Halloween was a special time of year and Marvellen took this opportunity to create unusual costumes for her children to wear in the annual Elks Halloween Parade, where she achieved several First-Place winners. Some of the costumes are currently on display at the Logansport Clothing Museum. Marvellen also participated in several of Logansport’s Christmas decorating contests.
She loved working with youth as an assistant 4-H club leader for 15 years and also became a Den Mother for Cub Scouts.
Together with her husband, David, Marvellen regularly attended shows of the Performing Arts Council for many years. Additionally, they travelled with the “Phyllis Clawson Travel Club”. They found great joy in their 5 children and extended family and were always ready to play a game of cards, especially ROOK!
Tending to her garden of roses gave her much pleasure throughout her life. She would often share vases filled with her home-grown blooms with neighbors and friends to brighten their days. Her other hobbies included sewing, cooking, and hosting dinners for her large extended family. She shared her tasty homemade yeast rolls which became a favorite at holiday celebrations.
In retirement Marvellen made and donated baby blankets for expectant teen mothers as well as sewing baby blankets for grandchildren as they became parents themselves. She worked as a volunteer for the Cass County Dentzel Carousel for 17 years. She also helped deliver “Meals on Wheels” for her community.
She is survived by her children, Steven (Linda) Dunwoody, Theresa (John) Arnold, Gary Dunwoody, Greg Dunwoody, and Peggy (Charles) Henry; 11 grandchildren, Julie Arnold, Kelly Mosser, Dwight Dunwoody, Jennifer Bruner, Amanda Mitchell, Nicholas Dunwoody, Brenda Smith, Sandra McLaughlin, Joshua Henry, Erica Erbskorn, Michael Henry; and 24 great-grandchildren.
Marvellen was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Wayne Nicklas and Verne Nicklas; and one granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Dunwoody.
Funerals are not for the person leaving us, but for the living, that they might change and come to believe that there is a God and that they help others come to believe in God through Jesus Christ his Son.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, September 30 in Fisher Funeral Chapel. At 3 p.m., there will be a time of sharing to honor and celebrate Marvellen’s life.
Private burial will be in Ever-Rest Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Marvellen’s love of children, the family suggests a contribution of baby diapers to be given to the Church of the Good Shepherd’s paper pantry at 8th and East Broadway. You may also bring donations to the funeral home.
Condolences can be shared at fisherfuneralchapel.com.