Marvin Gneiting Schwab

Marvin Gneiting Schwab was born March 19, 1938 in Afton, Wyoming. He was the third of eight children born to Arthur Clarence Schwab and Erma Pauline Gneiting. The Schwab family was close knit and spent a lot of time together.  Arthur and his father Herbert lived just around the corner from each other, so Marv and Scott (Herbert’s son) grew up more like twin brothers than uncle and nephew. Art purchased a ranch in the Dell, a beautiful location in the south end of Star Valley. Marvin, Scott and his sisters spent many wonderful days working and playing at the ranch. As a young boy he remembered going to Cottonwood Lake and “helping” his father and grandfather. They would bring the logs out of the canyon with large draft horses and float the timber across the lake to the sawmill. Cottonwood Lake was a favorite family spot.

            Marvin went to school in Afton and attended Star Valley High School where he excelled in football and basketball. He graduated in 1956 and on January 19, 1957 he married Jeanne Moser, his high school sweetheart. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 23, 1958. Marv and Jeanne both attended Brigham Young University where Marvin received his bachelor’s degree in Geology while working full time to provide for his family. After college Marvin started selling insurance. They lived in Logan, Utah for a few years then moved to Murray, Utah, but every Friday night he would gather his family together and they would travel back to the valley he loved. In 1969, he moved his family back to Star Valley, where he and Jeanne built a home north of Afton, to “get the kids out of the city.” Marvin continued working in Utah during the week, coming home on the weekends and after a few years he came back to the valley full time and worked with his father at Valley Lumber in Afton. He then built and managed Stor Storage for over 30 years.

            Marvin and Jeanne enjoyed going on many vacations together. They loved fishing, camping and spending time with their family. Marvin always enjoyed fishing whether it was winter or summer. He loved to be outdoors and fishing was a bonus. Every year Colter Bay was a must and Shoshoni Lake, Green River Lake, Cottonwood Lake and even Alaska were a few of his other favorite places. His family meant everything to him.  He loved supporting and following his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as they participated in church, school, and other activities all over multiple states. He was always there to cheer them on in their plays, concerts, football games, basketball games, graduations or whatever they were doing. He was so proud of all of them but he had an extra special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 Marvin was diagnosed with colon cancer in the spring of 2021 and he passed away on February 14, 2022. (Valentine’s Day – reuniting him with his eternal companion.)

 Marvin is survived by his children; Sherry (Joel) Merritt, Lee (Erika) Schwab, MarJean (Doye) Bryant, Daniel (Kristi) Schwab, Vance (Kenna) Schwab. Siblings; Maureen (Charles) Buckner, LuAnn (Bill) Holbrook, and Kristine (Bill) Tudor, 48 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. Marvin is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Erma Schwab, two brothers, Clarence and baby (stillborn), two sisters Karen King and Carma Daughtery, his wife Jeanne, daughter Gloria, and daughter-in-law Terri.