Marvin Stites

Marvin Vail Stites, of Centerville, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the Corpus Christi Shoreline hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 62. Marvin was born May 19, 1946 in rural Linn County, Kansas on the family farm. The youngest of two boys born to Vail and Ida Cleo Driskill Stites. Marvin attended Parker High School. Marvin was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Anna Louise Dysart on July 10, 1963. To this union two sons were born, Lonnie Vail Stites of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Dale Lee Stites of rural Centerville, Kansas. Marvin worked for the International Harvester Company beginning in 1963 for a total of 17 years. He began his career in Garnet as a mechanic, was promoted to salesman, and finally managed the Pratt dealership. He and wife Louise decided to return to Linn County to assume the responsibilities of his wife's family farm, which he did until his death. Marvin worked for the Linn County Sheriff's office from 1982 until 1993. At that time, Marvin and Louise decided to concentrate entirely on the farming operation. In January of 1995, Marvin was approached by the citizens of Linn County to assume the responsibilities of Sheriff to replace the retiring Richard O'Bryant. He was eventually re-elected to three more terms and served as sheriff of Linn County, Kansas until January 2009. Marvin was a member of the Centerville volunteer fire department from 1982 to 2002, serving as chief for seventeen years; Kansas and National Sheriff's Association from 1995 to 2009; Mo-Kan Peace Officers Association, Linn County Conservation Board from 1983 to 1998; and was selected as both State and National Grange Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2000. Marvin believed first in his family, and relished any time spent with his sons or grandchildren. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren everything from how to fix a broken tractor to the proper form of laying a fly right in front of that rainbows mouth. Marvin enjoyed hunting but he loved fishing and spent all the time he could spare following both of these pursuits. Marvin is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anna Louise Stites, his two sons Lonnie Stites and wife Angie, Dale Stites and wife JoAnn, three grandchildren, Logan, Garrett, and Brianna Stites. Brother, Marion Stites and wife Pat, sister in law, Susan Martin and husband Randy, niece and nephew Layne and Christopher Martin and a host of cousins, friends and neighbors. Marvin loved and respected all of his family including the ones who wear blue. I would like to say to my best friend and my father, Dad, Keep your tip high and your flies dry. I Love and miss you. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday February 7, 2009 at Coffel-Schneider Chapel, LaCygne, Kansas. Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 6, 2009 at Coffel-Schneider Chapel, LaCygne, Kansas. Burial will be in theGoodrich Cemetery. The family suggests contributions be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation in care of Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, Box 304, LaCygne, Kansas 66040. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider, LaCygne, Kansas.