Marvin L. Ratts,  91, was born May 31, 1924 and passed to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Main Street Manor of Russell, Kansas.  He was born in Atlanta, Kansas, the son of Lawrence and Mary (Williams) Ratts.  He attended a rural school before moving to Yates Center, Kansas where he graduated from high school in 1942.  Marvin joined the U.S. Army in early 1942 and served in Europe during WWII with the 101st Airborne Division.  Marvin received an Honorable Discharge from the Army in early January of 1946 and returned to Kansas State University graduating with a degree in Geology.

Marvin was united in marriage to Dorothy Gallup on June 6, 1950.  He was employed by Dowell Inc. and worked in the oil and gas fields in Hugoton, Ulysses, and Great Bend before moving to Russell in 1952.  He began working for Shields Oil Producers in September 1956 as a Geologist/Engineer and retired in March 1996 after 40 years.

Marvin was a member of the First Christian Church until the church closed.  Then, Marvin attended the Trinity United Methodist Church the remainder of his life.  Marvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 67 years with advanced degrees at Great Bend.  He was also a 54 year member of Isis Shrine, and a 40 year member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.  He was a Life Member of the Russell V.F.W. Post 6240 and the American Legion Post 99.  In April 2011, Marvin had the distinct honor of being inducted into the Oil and Gas Hall of Fame in Great Bend.

Besides activities related to work, Marvin had many other skills and interests.  Marvin was a master of woodworking and made much of their furniture and cabinets.  Marvin also enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, golf, and traveling with his belated wife, Dorothy.

Marvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, on March 20, 2005, and his golfing “buddy” and son-in-law, Keith, on August 25, 2007.  He is survived by his daughter Patricia Whisenand, daughter Glennis Wylie, four grandchildren, Anthony M. Whisenand, Teri Dee Whisenand (Phil), Tamara Jai Whisenand, and Shawn Charpentier (Scott); seven great grandchildren, Brittany, A.J., Michael, Andrew, Talyn, Sabra, and Colton.  Marvin is also survived by his sister Martha Amyx and brother Bill Ratts.

Celebration of Marvin’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 11, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A Memorial has been established with Russell Regional Hospital.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.