Marvin A. Gustafson, 91, formerly of Warren, PA, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Rouse Home after a brief illness.
Marv believed in the American Dream and was a good example of it.
Born at home, February 28, 1928 in Scandia, PA, a son of the late Arvid and Allie (Jespersen) Gustafson. Growing up, Marv dreamed of getting off the family farm and out of Scandia. He did just that and never looked back. After high school, Marv joined the Army and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA where he earned his paratrooper wings. He was discharged from the Army in November, 1947 and then returned to Warren. He got a job selling dairy products for the Warren County Dairy Association. This is how he met his wife of nearly 70 years, Marie Petersen. Marie worked the soda fountain at Taylor’s Pharmacy and Marv would make deliveries there. In September of 1949, they left Warren and headed to Washington, DC, so he could further his education. He graduated from Columbia Technical College as a Draftsman. He then held various mechanical drafting positions with the Department of the Navy. Always wanting to better himself, he again returned to Warren in 1953 to accept a sales position with Sylvania. In his employment with them, he extensively traveled the states and Puerto Rico. Sylvania transferred him numerous times to New Jersey, but always ended up back in Warren.
In 1985, now GTE Sylvania wanted to transfer him to Chicago. However, this time he did not want to move and said “No. Retire me.” They worked out a deal and Marv retired at the age of 57 with 32 years of employment with them. Now that he was retired, he and Marie were able to do some traveling outside the states. Denmark was their favorite overseas destination.
Marv was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he was on the Church Council for many years. He was not one for hobbies, but considered Sunday drives in his Jaguar through Scandia past the old family homestead a regular event. His only regret in life was selling that “Jag” when he moved to the Rouse Suites.
Marv watched his financial programs religiously and always sought to learn all he could about his finances.
Marv’s other simple pleasure was sitting on the front porch of his Third St. home. He always had the nicest lawn on the block. When he moved to the Suites, he was still able to sit on the front porch of that Third St. home, because he sold it to his daughter, Sharon and husband, Scott. They would have Marv and Marie for dinner every Friday and they were able to sit on the front porch.
The small boy from the farm managed to travel overseas and all the states except for South Dakota. Despite all the traveling, he always came back to Warren, which he always said was the best place to live. Marv loved his family very much and was always proud of his children.
Marv is survived by his wife, Marie (Petersen) Gustafson, who he married December 2, 1949 in Washington, D.C. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his six children, Carole (Don) Brew of Las Vegas, NV, Susan (Jamie Nicklas) Gustafson, Sharon (Scott) Spangler of Warren, Robert (Elaine) Gustafson of Pittsburgh, JoAnne Gustafson of Richmond, VA and Scot (Caroline Hunter) Gustafson of Ojai, CA; his sibling, June (Ron) Carlson; his grandchildren, Matthew Brew and Emily Brew (Claude Colin) of Las Vegas, NV, Erin Spangler, Dane Gustafson of Pittsburgh, PA, Karl Gustafson of Chicago, IL, and Henry Gustafson of Richmond, VA; great-grandchildren, Soren and Kai Colin of Las Vegas, NV and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Marv was preceded in death by his four siblings, Angie Huber, Carl Gustafson, Ethel Alspaugh and Anna Alspaugh.
There will be no public viewing and a private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 306 Conewango Ave., Warren, PA 16365, St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a charity of choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com