LARNED — A graveside service for Marvin L. Converse will be held at the Larned City Cemetery on Tuesday May 21, 2024 at 2 p.m. with Jack Singer presiding.

Marvin passed away at his home in DeLand, Fla., Jan., 25 2011. He was 81 years old. He was born in Great Bend, Kan. on Dec. 11, 1929. His parents were Dewey Henry Converse and Ruth Ann Elise (Koch) Converse. He was their only child.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dorothy “Dee” (Neill) Converse; his stepfather, Dr. Thomas B. Powell; step brothers and sister, Jack Powell, Donald Powell and Winifred (Powell) Stanfield. Survivors include first cousins, Arlyn G. Converse of Leawood, Kan.; Carole Ruth Converse of Larned, Kan. and William P. Koch of Washington D.C. He is also survived by his stepdaughter and grandson, Marilyn Parlato; (husband Tom) and Ryan Parlato of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Marvin grew up in Larned and graduated from Larned High School in 1948. He attended Fort Hays State for one year then transferred to the University of Kansas and received a degree in Geology Engineering in 1953. He then went to Navy OCS in Pensacola, Fla. and served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant, assigned to Tactical Air Control Squadron. He began his working career with the Carter Oil Company in Rawlings, Wyo. and then later with Black & Veatch Engineering in Kansas City, Mo. The bulk of his career was working for the Central Intelligence Agency and the US State Department in Washington D.C. He retired after 25 years of service.

He loved to travel and watch sports, especially his beloved Kansas Jayhawks and the Washington Redskins. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

The family requests any memorial contributions can be made to the Pawnee County Humane Society in Larned. These can be sent to 

Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary 

P.O. Box 477 

Larned, KS 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 16, 2024