Marvin H. Darnell, 68, Curryville, formerly of Bowling Green, died Monday, September 22 at his farm in rural Bowling Green.  Services were held Friday, September 26 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green.

Marvin was born May 18, 1940 in Paynesville, MO, to Howard and Martha “Mattie” (Holman) Darnell.  He married Donna Smith of Vandalia on July 4, 1959, who preceded him in death on September 6, 2004.  He then married Barbara McClellan Smith on September 10, 2005.  She survives.

Also surviving are a son, David Darnell and wife Rhonda of Roby, MO, and daughters Crystal Wheeler and husband Chris of Eolia, and Cynthia Perkins and husband Donald of Curryville.  He is also survived by grandchildren Tony and Amanda Powell, Jennifer, Julie, and Caleb Wheeler, and Amanda, April, and Troy Perkins, 2 great grand children, 4 step-children and 8 step-grandchildren.  In addition, two sisters, Joyce Leuthart of Lacoma, MO, and Dorothy Cosgrove of St. Paul, MN, survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Darnell, sister Shirley Hall, and step-father Henry Clark Stroker.

Marvin Darnell was a long time business owner in Bowling Green.  He graduated from Ranken Technical College in 1958.  He opened Marvin’s Garage in 1964, where he worked for 40 years with his wife, Donna.  In 2005, he retired and sold this business, but continued to run the Starter and Alternator Shop.  He enjoyed antique tractor pulling, hunting, and attending bluegrass, southern gospel, and country music shows.  He also spent time in the garden, and loved growing unusual or exotic plants, such as yard long beans, tobacco, and giant pumpkins.  The last few years, he has enjoyed traveling with his wife Barbara, going to Texas each winter and sampling various regional foods as they travel back home.  He also loved trapshooting with his children and grandchildren, and playing cards with family and friends.

He was involved in several local organizations over the years.  He has served on the Pike County Fair Board, Bowling Green City Council, Bowling Green Industrial Park Board, Lincoln County Old Threshers, and the Session of the Presbyterian Church.

Pall Bearers were Vernon Jennings, Nolan Miller, Brett Harrelson, Elmer Sisson, Bill Shaw, and Dale Spegal.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Nurses Education Board of Pike County, the American Cancer Society, or the Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green.