Marvin (Reb) E. Meredith

Marvin (Reb) Eugene Meredith, age 81, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. He was welcomed at Heaven’s Gates by the love of his life, his late wife Dee.  “All people die, but not all people live.” Gene lived! He packed so much life into his 81 years.

Reb was born September 29, 1942, in McCrory, Arkansas to Christine and Elbert Meredith.

On November 22, 1963, Reb married Joan (Davis) Meredith; together they had two daughters, Delores and Denise.  After parting ways in 1978, Joan and Reb remained lifelong friends and always had a hug and a smile for each other.  Reb married Frances “Fran” (Hultquist) Meredith on December 2, 1983.  Together they enjoyed many short and long distant rides on Reb’s Harley and playing bingo until Fran’s passing in 1991.  Upon retiring, he met Delia (Dee) McKee in 2007 while visiting his brother, Donald in Poteau, Oklahoma. Before you knew it, he and Delia married on July 1, 2010, and danced the rest of their lives together until her passing October 2017.

In the early 60’s, Gene worked at the Guardian Electric in Woodstock, Illinois. In the later 60’s he worked at Union Special in Huntley, Illinois, where he was well liked for his humor and skills, achieving many awards and promotions as a supervisor over the next 20+ years. On his days off, you would find him baling hay in the summer, snow plowing in the winter and cutting firewood all year long. He also enjoyed target shooting at the Woodstock Gun Club and hunting. In his later years, he worked for Pork King Trucking in Marengo, Illinois, driving loads to and from Chicago, before returning home to Arkansas.

Reb was a genuine family man, hardworking, honest, and humorous. He could keep you captivated for hours with storytelling of the “ole days on the farm.”  If you didn’t like Reb, something was wrong with you.

Above all Reb loved his family and always put them first. When Reb became Poppy to his four grandkids and two great-grandkids, it was the icing on the cake. He would drop anything he was doing to spend time with his grandkids - even if they wanted to put ponytails in his hair or go fishing every day!

Reb will be lovingly cherished by his children, Delores (Brian) Plote, Denise (Scott) Swanson; grandchildren, Courtney (Brian) Madigan, Laci Plote, Bryce Swanson, and Lily “Lulu” Swanson; great-grandchildren, Everleigh and Grayson Madigan; siblings, Donald “Duke” Meredith and Dorcus Junior;

and his friend and former wife Joan Meredith.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dorcus and special niece, Christy Morris; close and dear friends, the late Alma “Sissy” Meredith and Jessica Poynor and family, for their never ending love and care for him along with the wonderful crew at the Beebe Retirement Center.

Reb was predeceased by his parents, Christine and Elbert Meredith; wives, Fran Meredith and Dee Meredith; siblings, Melvin “Bud” Meredith, Gerald Wayne Meredith, Shirley Motsinger, Mary Edna McAfee, Judy Dale Meredith, an infant sister, Susie and close friend Alma (Sissy) Meredith .

In lieu of a service, a celebration of Reb’s life will be held July of 2024 in McCrory, Arkansas. Arrangements for this day are being handled by the family of this amazing soul.

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