Marvin E. Bieber, 83
Marvin Edward Bieber was the first son born to Henry and Mary Bieber in November 1929 in Tolstoy, S.D. Marvin grew up on the family farm with a strong work ethic, dedicated to providing for his family, which included eight siblings.
In 1949, he met a sweet, beautiful girl who stole his heart at the first glance at a dance at the Eagle’s Lodge in Aberdeen, and he whisked her away to Miles City, Mont., where they married in 1950. Marvin now focused on providing for his new little family, working first in the gold mines of South Dakota, and then on to cement masonry as he and his wife Ila moved west.
In 1951, they welcomed their first daughter in Spokane. They continued their trek across the country and settled in Southern California in the late 1950s, where Marvin focused on becoming an expert in the construction trade. Their family grew with the addition of another daughter and two sons.
Marvin turned his experience in the construction industry into a successful underground trenching company, which helped develop most of a newly burgeoning Southern California.
He was also very active in his local church, serving as a Deacon and providing mentorship and guidance to his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He was a dedicated husband and father, putting forth every effort to provide for his family, physically as well as spiritually. Marvin’s children married and the family grew with the addition of nine grandchildren.
In 1989, Marvin and Ila retired in Post Falls where they began the next chapter of their lives together. Although first planning on finding a new home on the river, Marvin indulged his sweetheart (as he often did) in Ila’s dream home, a Painted Lady Victorian. Winters were spent in Mesa, Ariz., enjoying Bible study, billiards, pinochle, travel, golf, fishing, and entertaining. Many new friends were made, family was always welcome to “vacation,” and they continued to bless everyone they came in contact with. Four more grandchildren, as well as six great-grandchildren, expanded the family again.
Marvin’s greatest joys in life were his wife and family, his friends, and his love for the Lord. He was a leader, a provider, a spiritual mentor, and a gentleman. He was fair, kind, honest, and loved to give his waitresses a good ribbing. He was a quiet, stoic man with a tender heart. He put family first throughout his entire life, and was a role model for his sons, grandsons, and great-grandson. We are all comforted knowing that he has been made perfect in God’s presence, and is enjoying Heaven with his life-long sweetheart, Ila Mae. After 62 years of marriage on earth, we know they’ve been reunited in heaven — Marvin with his tall, lanky build, big brown cow eyes, and curly lock of dark hair on his forehead, and Ila in her four-inch heels, strawberry blonde updo, and tailored dresses to show off her tiny waist.
Fittingly, Marvin went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. He is preceded in death by his parents Mary and Henry, his sweetheart Ila Mae (2012) and siblings Elnora (1926 - 1927), Frieda (1928 - 1929), Elmer (1932 - 1934), Linda LaVerne (1943 - 1944), and Harold (1995).
He is survived by siblings Edna Jacobs, Alvin (and Bette) Bieber, Novell Dewald, Perry (and Wanda) Bieber, and LaMae (and Lenny) Uhrich ; daughters Alonda (and Robert) Sheldon, and Linda (and Monte) Meltebarger; sons Paul Bieber and Steve Bieber; grandchildren Kari (and Ron) Jessop, Jeremy (and Mandy) Meltebarger, James Meltebarger, Stephanie (and Chris) Whiteman, Jesse (and Nicole) Bieber, Joelle Bieber, Cora Bieber, Marcus Bieber, Natalie Bieber, Julia Bieber, Lauren Bieber, and Rachel Bieber; and great-grandchildren Scott Mull, Sarah Mull, Jaycey Meltebarger, Hailey Meltebarger, Kyley Meltebarger, and Allison Whiteman.
Marvin will always be remembered for his strength, intelligence, caring heart, and most of all, his dedication to the Lord and his family. He will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be held at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N 4th Street, Coeur d’Alene, on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marvin’s name to: Samaritan’s Purse, Attn: Donor Ministries, PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607 (1-828-262-1980); or Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 (1-800-A-Family).
Please visit Marvin’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.