Marion Harvey Vandever

Marion Harvey Vandever
Military Service P.F.C. U.S. Army

Marion Harvey Vandever passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Center at the age of 94 years.

Marion was born January 10, 1921, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. He was the son of Alvin Francis and Arlie (Anthony) Vandever. Marion grew up in the Bigheart area and later moved with his family to Avant where he completed his education. Marion entered military service September 17, 1942, at Hominy, Oklahoma. Marion’s classification in the service was an auto equipment operator/combat infantry man. He served in the Rhineland, Germany and Northern France Campaigns. He earned the following decorations and citations: Combat Infantryman’s Badge, American Theatre Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Campaign Stars, two Overseas Bars, Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon and a “Purple Heart” after being wounded in combat at Ruhr Valley just outside of Oberkirchen, Germany on April 5, 1945. After returning to the United States, Marion was admitted to McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas on May 18, 1945. After his time in Texas, he was transferred to Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah on February 7, 1946. On May 23, 1946, Marion received his honorable discharge. Marion also received a signed letter of gratitude from the President of the United States, Harry S. Truman sent from the White House for his actions. Soon after his return in 1946, Marion received a new 1946 Chevrolet from George Fuller Chevrolet in Tulsa, Oklahoma; courtesy of the Federal government for losing a limb in combat in European Theatre.

After Marion’s discharge he continued his life farming, trading and raising livestock. He was doing well until Cholera took his livestock and set him back. Later Marion went to work for Bill Carriger in Cleveland, Oklahoma, farming his land for a few years. Marion later gained employment with Pawnee County as a truck driver and equipment operator for several years. In 1965, Marion went to work for Friday Davis managing a Black Angus cattle ranch near Blackburn, Oklahoma. In the early 1970’s Marion managed the Keystone Golf Course for several years. Afterwards, Marion and Effie began running and managing a used appliance and furniture store in downtown Cleveland in the 1980’s. During that same time Marion was working with his younger brother Kenneth “Red” Vandever in the scrap metal business until retirement in the 1990’s.

Marion has three children, Jerry Leon, Harvey Edward and Fred Allen. Jerry has four children, Shane, Rodney, Katie and Jarod with whom were born eight grandchildren. Jerry now has four great grandchildren. Harvey had four children, Brant, Gary, Kristen and Curtis and 8 grandchildren. Fred has two children Jennifer and Jessica and 5 grandchildren.

Chapel services will be held 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 17, 2015, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.