Wesley R. Marvicsin Sr.

Wesley Roger Marvicsin, Sr. May 7, 1934 – March 18, 2024 Wesley “Wes” Marvicsin, Sr. was born in Pontiac, MI and passed away at the age of 89 at Angela Hospice in Livonia, MI. He was the son of immigrants Uros “Louis” and Rodojka “Ruth” (Tornowsky) Marvicsin who arrived in the U.S. through Ellis Island, NY in 1906 from Kikinda, Hungary (now part of modern-day Serbia). His original family name was Mrvičin (č = ch) and was later changed to Marvicsin. He was the youngest of 15 children. Wes grew up in both the Metro Detroit Area and on a family farm in Hillsdale, MI. He received his grade school education in a one-room schoolhouse in Hillsdale, then later lived in Birmingham, MI and attended high school in Royal Oak, MI. At the age of 17, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1951 to 1957 with an honorable discharge. He served in the Korean War as a Gunner’s Mate and was stationed in Japan, having fond and proud memories of his service, navy buddies, and experiences there. In 1957, he married JoAnn Stedman and was married for 42 years. He and JoAnn lived in Romulus, MI and he later retired in Osseo, MI. As an accomplished structural designer, builder, and finish carpenter, he had a private business adding his talents to many showcase homes in the Detroit Metro Area using unique techniques with wood, bronze, and copper. In addition, he served for 30 years as part of the Wayne County Road Commission as a Carpenter Foreman at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Serving countless hours as the President of the Board of the St. Louis School for the developmentally disabled in Chelsea, MI, a volunteer for the ARC of Western Wayne County, and as a chairperson and volunteer for the Special Olympics Michigan, he worked alongside JoAnn as an advocate for those with special needs. Wes was an avid golfer, an impressive social dancer, and a talented sketch artist and painter. As a member of the Hillsdale County Art Guild, several of his works were commissioned by businesses and collectors. He loved to frequent antique shops and auctions with his brother Donald. The treasures they found bolstered his passion for restoring classic domestic and foreign sports cars to feature at car shows, particularly as a member of the Michigan Metropolitan Classic Car Club. The true definition of a self-made man, he was also a locksmith, electrician, and mechanic. He became well-versed in WWII history and loved to read books and watch documentaries on the subject. This was when he was not watching reruns of M*A*S*H and Seinfeld. Often you could hear the songs of his favorite musicians Henry Mancini, The Carpenters, Anne Murray, or Sarah Brightman playing from his workshop or car as he whistled along. He loved being “Papa” to his grandchildren and was very proud of them. His dry wit, stories of adventures, artistic talent, and company will be greatly missed. JoAnn preceded him in death in 2012 as did his son Wesley Jr. in 2021. He is survived by his daughter Abby Block; son-in-law Robin Block; daughter Amy Marvicsin; grandchildren Jon Taylor, Konnor McIntosh, Kamryn McIntosh; and his sister Lena “Peg” Brown. Later in 2024, a private interment ceremony with military honors will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to either or both of the loving hospice organizations that cared for him: Angela Hospice https://angelahospice.org/ or Hospice of Hillsdale County https://www.hospiceofhillsdalecounty.org/. www.dryerfuneralhome.com

Wesley R. Marvicsin Sr.

May 7, 1934 - March 18, 2024