Marvin "Marv" Willford

Marvin Willford, age 82, of Swanton, OH, died peacefully on December 26th, just 6 days after his wife and love of 56 years. He died of a broken heart. The 2nd of three sons, he was born in Holgate, OH on April 8, 1932. He would graduate from Malinta-Grelton High School and join the United States Air Force soon after. Marv was trained as an aircraft mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1954. He met Brunhild Goldner in 1957 and they married in September of 1958. They moved to Swanton where he worked for Kaiser Steel before beginning a 25 year career with Owens Corning. He retired in 1995 and became a full time grampa and great- grampa.

Marv was a master mechanic who honed his skills over many decades. He was a licensed pilot in addition to working on airplanes and he even helped to build the home in which he raised his family. He was so confident in his skills as a mechanic and pilot that he was known to take his family on test flights of the planes he was repairing. In the summer, they would travel the country towing an old camper with mismatched clothes, eating bad food and making lots of memories. In retirement, he enjoyed reading books on history and aviation and often traveled to air shows to talk shop. He and Bunny spent the winters in their place in Haines City with the great neighbors and uncomfortable futon. In the summer, he found things to fix and grand kids and great-grand kids to spoil. He could be bribed with a beer and sandwich if something needed fixed; there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his three kids. Most importantly, he was husband to his wife of 56 years, Bunny…

Believe in the power of devotion and faith and will and of one man’s indelible love for his wife, so much so that he could not imagine HIS life without her. It was always Marv and Bunny, and it always will be.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Hilda Willford, wife Bunny Willford and brother Eldon Willford. He is survived by his brother Herbert Willford, sister-in-law Ricky Mussgnug and family, daughters Angela (Rocco) Hogrefe & Anita (Robert) Swartz and son Alan (Lisa) Willford, grandchildren Amber(Kyle), Ally, Ashley, Andrea, Austin, Sydney & Zachary and great-grandchildren Alexus, Bryce, Conner, Gage & Blakely.

The family will celebrate Marvin’s life privately; in lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make a donation to the Swanton, OH library or Hospice of NW Ohio. Special thanks to Lana of Hospice of NW Ohio and the staff at Lakes of Monclova for their kindness and care.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Services: Private