Marvin W. Deerhake

Rev. Marvin William Deerhake, 89, of Bicknell, Indiana was called to his eternal home on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. He was born November 23, 1930 on a farm near New Knoxville, Ohio. He was the second of five children to LeRoy and Laura (Vordermark) Deerhake. He graduated from New Knoxville High School in 1949, where he participated in FFA, chorus, band and basketball.
Marvin attended Mission House College (now Lakeland University); graduating in 1953. There he participated in the Zeta Chi Fraternity, Socratic Society, Christian Fellowship, College Acapella Choir, and the college basketball team. He graduated from Mission House Theological Seminary in 1956, and was ordained in June of that same year in the Evangelical and Reformed Church. He served at the Zion Evangelical and Reform Church in Lodi, California; St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Juno, Wisconsin; Grace UCC in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and Bethel Community Church in Freelandville, Indiana.
Some notable accomplishments of his life were assisting the congregation of Bethel Community Church in establishing the North Knox Social Ministries. Marvin also ran mission study tours around the United States, as well as to Germany and Japan. He also volunteered at Americas, Georgia working with President Jimmy Carter on Habitat for Humanity projects. Marvin also served on the board for the Girl Scouts of America.
Marvin married Mary Anne Mattes on June 29th, 1952 who preceded him in death. He is survived by three daughters Elizabeth Dilbone, Laura Anderson, Brenda and husband Ron Maddox. Also surviving are grandchildren Jeff Trowbridge and Ian Maddox, step-grandchildren Asah Maddox, Lacey and husband Jeff Lane, and their children. Other surviving family members include brothers Robert and wife Sandy Deerhake and family of New Knoxville, Ohio, as well as Gene and wife Mary Deerhake and family of Marblehead, Ohio.
Visitation will be held at Bethel Community Church in Freelandville, IN at 4:00 p.m.to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2nd.
Marvin will be laid to rest on Tuesday, December 3rd at the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in New Knoxville, Ohio following a visitation at the First Church of New Knoxville at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Memorial Donations may be made to First Church of New Knoxville at 200 W. Bremen St, New Knoxville, Ohio 45871. Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Homes Bicknell Chapel was honored to assist the family with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvin W. Deerhake, please visit our floral store.