Marvin Dale Sneesby, age 81, of Whitewood, SD, passed away September 11, 2015, at his home with family around him, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Marvin was born August 18, 1934, in Carthage, SD, to Phillip & Opal (Windedahl) Sneesby. He was raised and attended school in the Carthage area and graduated Carthage High School in 1952. Marv was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage. Marvin proudly served in the US Army from 1953 until 1955.

He worked for Cal-Gas in California, drove truck with his brother, and worked at Homestake Mine in Lead, SD, for about 1 year before going to Ft. Meade VA Center for 30 years, retiring in 1989. He then owned and operated TJ's Treasures and Junk in Spearfish, SD, for 8 years with his wife, Jean, retiring a second time in 1998.

His first marriage was to Dale Johnson and they had 4 children: David Johnson, Michael, Cheryl & Brett Sneesby. He then married Imogene Grosch and they had 3 children: Richard & Kenneth Grosch, and Brenda Sneesby. Then on April 20, 1978, Marvin married Jean Davis at the VFW Chapel, Ft Meade, SD, and added 5 stepchildren: Billy, Joddy, Suzan, Wesly, & Jully Davis, then yours and mine became ours.

Marv and Jean loved their large family and many friends and many groups: Carthage Club, Club 54, South Dakota Retreads (recycled teenagers who rode motorcycles), Tuesday Coffee, Friday Lunch, Whitewood Senior Center, Sturgis Senior Center, singing with the Senior Chorus and planning the monthly birthday parties, and putting together flowers for Memorial Day. He loved rummage sales and second hand stores, family reunions, and Jean's interest in family history. He also belonged to the VFW and Immanuel Lutheran Church at Whitewood.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Jean of Whitewood, SD; his mother, Opal Sneesby of Mitchell, SD; his brother, Eldon (Ardis) Sneesby of Howard, SD. Also surviving are his son, Brett Sneesby, of Rapid City, SD, and his family: Jeff, Brittany, Brianna & Phillip. Two daughters: Cheryl Fraijo of Pomona, CA, and her family: Nicole & Mike Igel and 5 girls, Brianna, Heather, Natasha, Ashley & Kylie. Brenda (DJ) Werlinger of Whitewood, SD, Emily & Aaron. Stepson David's family: Tonya Johnson of Brookdale, CA, Jessica (Dean) DeSelle of Brookdale, CA, and their family: Lilly, Jordan, Michael, Mikayla, Ben & Emily. Stepson Richard (Velta) Grosch of Whitewood, SD, and their family: Patti & Doug Edwards, OK, Hunter & Blair; Sierra (Dean) Mahaffy of Whitewood, SD, Shailey, Kydn & Kylr; Lindsey (Troy) Roberts of Spearfish, SD, Dylan, Alora, Piper & Ella Rae. Stepson Kenneth (Barb) Grosch of Sturgis, SD, Jesse & Josh. Stepson Billy (Annette) Davis' family: Christina & Jon Patrick, Roseville, CA, Kinsley & Ellie Ray. Brian & Myrsa Davis of Grass Valley, CA, Lilly, Jered, Mika, Kaleb & Nolan. Stepdaughter Joddy (Pete) Tiemann of Reardon, WA, Robert & Jessie. Stepdaughter Suzan (Clay) Smith of Grass Valley, CA, and their family: Jered & Paula McGivern of Grass Valley, CA, Lailanna, William & Jack. Jamee McGivern of Grass Valley, CA. Stepson Wesly Davis of Grass Valley, CA, and family: Kristina (Dan) Jones of CA, Jeni and Jaci Davis who are in the US Navy. Stepdaughter Jully Davis and her family: Brooke (Brenton Springer) Abdallah and Kaden; Lucas Hayes & Erin Niehaus; also nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip Sneesby; his sister, Phyllis Sorheim; his son, Michael Sneesby; and stepsons, David Johnson and Billy Ray Davis.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, please give memorials in Marvin's name to Hospice of the Black Hills, Sturgis Senior Center, or Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood, SD.

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