Marvin Harold Bean

Marvin Bean, 99, of Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of Wellington, passed away, Monday, August 26, 2019.

Graveside Funeral Service will be held 1:30 P.M. Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Wellington, KS. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M until 5:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Shelley Family Funeral Home in Wellington, KS. No family night is scheduled. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the Marvin and Betty Bean Scholarship Fund at Southwestern College and may be left with the Shelley Family Funeral Home 704 N. Washington, Wellington, KS 67152.   

Marvin Harold Bean was born in Anthony, Kansas to Vernon Lloyd Bean and Lucy Joyce Trotter Bean at the home, with Dr. Galloway in attendance. He was the 3rd of three children: Joyce Elizabeth, sister and Vernon Ralph Bean, brother.

Marvin graduated from Anthony Kansas High School in 1938, having served as President of the student body. He participated in band and football and was elected to the National Honor Society.

Following High School, Marvin attended Southwestern College, majoring in instrumental music. He played with the college concert and marching band under the direction of C.O. Brown and was featured in a cornet trio consisting of George Reynolds, Richard Brummett, and Marvin. The band toured over the state of Kansas and was considered one of the best college bands in the state at the time. He also played string bass in the symphony orchestra under the direction of Dean Luther Leavengood.

Marvin completed all but 8 hours required for a Bachelor of Music degree before leaving between semesters to enlist in the Army in 1942. He was Vice-President of the student body and had been chosen as the “Most Representative Builder” among male students.

He received the Bachelor of Music degree in 1943, after completing the required 8 hours while in the army. He was in the Army infantry for nearly 4 years during World War II, spending most of the time in army bands.

After discharge from the army, he worked as Manager of the record department in Jenkins Music Store in Wichita. He then returned to Southwestern College for the academic year of 1946-1947 and several summer school terms to get pre-med requirements and received a second degree, a Bachelor of Arts with a Science Major in 1948.

He taught band and chorus at Preston High School from 1947 to 1950 and enjoyed it very much.

He met Betty Lou Eckl at Southwestern College in 1946, and they were married at her mother’s home December 24, 1949.

Marvin attended the University of Missouri Dental School at Kansas City, graduating in 1954. He and Betty decided to set up practice in Wellington, KS where they resided until 2012, when they moved to Overland Park, KS.

Four children were born to this marriage: Marsee Bates (Mike) of Kansas City, MO; Marla Thomas (Jim) of Shawnee, KS; Bob Bean (Valerie) of Derby, KS; and Paul Bean (Chris) of Ottawa, KS.

Marvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club, the American Legion, the Wichita Musician’s Union, the Elks Club, the Southern District Dental Association, the Kansas State Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. At the Methodist Church, he served as a youth Sunday School teacher for 14 years, member and President of Methodist Men, and various boards and committees. He was Secretary and President of the Wellington Rotary Club (1960), and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was President of the S.C. Alumni Guard (1971-1972) and was Secretary and twice President of the Southern District Dental Association.

Marvin was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty, his parents and siblings.

He is survived by his four children, as well as five grandchildren: Todd Bates (Brooke), Kelsey Schultz (Karl), Sarah Whitaker (Sam), Austin Bean, Chase Reed (Amanda), Garrett Reed, and Ren Bean and six great-grandchildren, Finley, Logan and Addie Schultz, Heidi Whitaker, Lily and Ryan Reed, and one great granddaughter, Berkley Bates on the way.

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