I don't know whether there will be a special place in heaven for minister-golfers, but I do know that a few of us had wonderful times together under the blue skies with the little white balls.

Have a pleasant rest, Marvin, until we meet again in a better land when Jesus returns for His people.            Richard Fearing

My life has been richer having known Elder Seibel and his family.  I met them back probably in the 1950's and had on and off contact through the years, including fun times at Holbergs.  I was blessed to get even better aquatinted with him when he was at Rio Lindo in the 1960's.  I lost touch over the years, unless we met at campmeeting, but God blessed me again with Marlene's Facebook friendship in recent years.  I have been able through words and pictures to follow their family again.  I relish the prospect of seeing him again when Christ comes to take us home.  I'm sure he will be front and center renewing old acquaintances as we enter our eternal home.  Blessings and prayers to the entire Seibel family!

Pastor Seibel baptized my mom, Ginger Marcus on Jan. 1971 in the Turlock CA church. He baptized myself, Adalia Marcus Harvey and my sister, Nydia Brooks on March 23, 1971 also in Turlock. I live in Calistoga CA for the past 15 years and just happened to check the Turlock SDA church bulletin tonite just for the fun of it and found the notice!! All these memories started flooding thru my mind of how sweet he and Mrs Seibel were to us...mom, Ginger Marcus, has been recently placed in a care home in Santa Rosa, CA . 

Blessings on the family...we are so sorry for your loss...but we will see him again soon!! He will be perfect and full of life once again. Hugs to you all...we have such special and fond memories of him being our first Adventist pastor. :) 

SIncerely, 

Adalia Marcus Harvey

I'm am so thankful to have known my Grandpa Seibel. What a great example of an honorable man. Every day I spent with him I learned something great. Whether it was playing golf, riding around in the bright green Saab, exploring the Camino church, backpacking through the high Sierra mountains, or just watching TV(golf or tennis of course) Grandpa always was an example of God's love to everyone. 

A few weeks before his death, in a moment of clarity and eloquence, he spoke to me about the blessings of my wife and children. 

He lived a long life of integrity and compassion.  All those who knew him have been blessed.

From Marvin's 3 year old great-Grandson, Alexander: 

I (his mother) asked what he would like to say to Great Grandpa in his book.  He answered with a bright smile: 

"I love you."

I guess that pretty much says it all!

From Lucy, Marvin's oldest great-grandchild,  and only great granddaughter to date , 5 years old:  

When I (Lucy's mother, asked her what she would like to say in the book about Great-Grandpa she said):

"Before he died, Great Grandpa said me and Alex were great kids..." 

What a wonderful memory for a little one to take on life's journey.

Marvin married Jonathan and I.

This means he officiated and blessed the beginning of the most important journey of my life.  15 years of marriage later, I am so thankful for that and to him for being there for us.

I know also that he offered a pre-marital counseling session to us.  The main thing I remember about that was staring at Jonathan and thinking how cute my husband to be was.  Also, it was always clear that Eva and Marvin were in love and had a fun life together.  They were always such a good looking couple, with a sense of humor, and valuing their children dearly.  

A few months ago Marvin told me that my children Lucy and Alex (ages 3 and 5) are great children and that Jonathan and I are doing a good job.  Of course this is the greatest compliment a parent can hear, and I will always remember it.  
I am thankful to have known him and for the quality of a legacy he leaves behind in his children and the way they conduct their lives.

Dear Eva,Marlene,Doug and Wendy. I'm so sorry for your loss.  The last of my uncles left this earth when Marvin passed away.  I could always see my mother in Marvin and Emil.  Uncle Marvin was always such an inspiration to all our family, he was such a positive influence whenever I was lucky enough to see him. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you as Marvin is now resting and waiting to be with the Lord!!!

Dear Marlene and Family:  Your father lived with utmost humanity and grace.  He taught by example.  He married us in 1964 and he will always have a special place in our hearts and minds, with much love, Lynn and Shirley

My memories of RLA are sketchy but I do know that Pastor Seibel baptized me there in the Russian River. Because I was a senior I was chosen to be first. I extend my condolences to his family. May the Lord hold you each in His hands at this time of pain. It can't be long now! Hang on. He IS coming and soon.

Dear Marlene and Family, What an awesome guy your Dad was! He was my bible teacher at Rio and he certainly practiced what he preached. He was always kind and compassionate and ready to listen or help in any way he could. My memories of Rio are sweeter because of him. Love and prayers are with you and your family

Dear Marlene and family,
He was our sophomore bible teacher that first year at RLA and he was always very nice to me, though I didn't play sports with him, so didn't know him that well outside of class. Looking at these photos reminds me of how young he must have been in those years. He was such a handsome man all of his life, and a great Christian husband/father to a large extended family, judging by the love showing in all the photos. You will miss him greatly. Heaven will be such a grand reunion! My love and prayers are with you and your family.

What a great guy! Always fit right in with youth. At RLA the first year it was open, not much in the way of playing fields, but he coached me on my hardball pitches - curves & sliders - on the sidewalk in front of the boys' dorm.

Rest assured that he had a major, positive impact on so many lives.

Marlene,Dave and Family,

Sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. 
Love,
Surgical Services @ Curry Hospital

I have the fondest of memories about this man. I have positive and negative feelings about my years at Rio Lindo, and when I spoke with him about some of this on one of our alumni reunions many years ago, I was again impressed with his  understanding and kind spirit. Should heaven be filled with people like this I would be pleased to join them. In the words of an old cowboy poem,

 "... now he's gone ahead to point the trail,  we'll stay awhile and finish up our cups then douse the fire and follow where he's led. Ride slow old friend, we'll soon be catchin up.

Dear Eva and family,
We remember Marvin as an especially kind, compassionate and loving person, smiling and so friendly. Our thoughts are with you. Love from Lorna and Julie

We played a lot of golf together and often were reminded that soon we would be walking down the fairways of Heaven and then on streets of gold to the heavenly clubhouse were Jesus could give us lessons on the futility of the game because with perfect hand-eye co-ordination and binocular eyesight we would always make holes in one.  There would be no more challenge and we would lose interest after a couple of holes and be drawn to another challenge like star travel and racing at speeds beyond the speed of light.  In reality our greatest joy in heaven will just be sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him tell about creation and the plan of salvation.  Looking forward to seeing Dad--Marvin again soon in a better place with no more death, suffering, sorrow or pain.  It was difficult for me to watch him die so slowly.  God bless his memory and may the positive influence of his life continue to motivate us to live for Jesus Christ is my prayer.  Dave Lovenguth--(son in law).

Various greetings from students who attended Rio Lindo Academy.  Give your dad my best.  Delbert Hatton  8/10/13;  Give them my greetings.  Jan Ward Healzer 8/5/13; If he remembers me tell him I said hello.  Evie MacFarlane 8/9/13;  Deepest Sympathies.  Evelyn Georgeson 8/2013; Darlene Jantzen Dragavon; James Ashley.  Sent via facebook to Marlene Seibel Lovenguth

I remember how kind he was when he took us on a trip all the way around the island (Oahu) stopping at all the cool points on interest.  He was such a nice man.  I'll never forget the wonderful sites he showed us.  Jeannie Prehn Gilbert

Played lots of basketball with him.  He is a great memory of Rio days.
Ray Holm  7/27/13

He and Delmar Lovejoy were the two coolest faculty at Rio.  A good man sorely missed.  John Hewitt

Many prayers for you and your family.  We've known each other so many years and he will see the second coming of Christ even if he falls asleep now to wait.
Carolyn Devinich Zuk  7/26/13

Your dad is such a great guy.  Kennon Martin; Jacqueline Wagner agreed on facebook.  7/25/13

Prayers!  I have many wonderful memories of your family and the various trips our families took together...very special people.  Susan Hoopes Rickwalt Lindblom

Will always have wonderful memories of times spent with your parents...after all we are family no matter how much time has gone by between visits. Janni Knecht Wilkens.  7/25/13

He was always one of my favorite teachers.  Gary Hamburgh 7/25/13

We are very sorry for your family's loss...no more suffering for your dad...just waiting for Jesus to come.  Love and blessings to you all.  Cathi Lizzi Clark
8/2013

Big hugs sent your way...heaven can't come soon enough, what a reunion we will all enjoy....the morning will come our prayers are with you.  Kay Reiswig Prunty 8/18/13

Your dad was a special and a wonderful man.  Ruthe Catolico Ashley  8/17/13

I am very sorry for your loss with sympathy and sincerely.  George Koerber 8/17/13

He has led so many students to know the Lord in a personal way.  Give your mom a hug for me.  Jeni Spoo Crane  8/17/13

Your dad was one of my favorite people at Rio Lindo Academy.  Didn't have him for a class, but spent many hours with him in the gym especially playing volleyball.  Ben Cabreia 8/19/13

Grandma, we will always miss Grandpa, he was a great roll model and friend, I have many good memories with him, backpacking the Yosemite Mountains, up the Bloody Canyon, and thanks for posting that picture of Jonathan and I with grandpa under Banner Peak, Grandpa was saying all that day His banner over us is Love.  He always kicked my butt at golf and tennis, I will miss that greatly.

Dear Eva and family:  We have such wonderful memories of Marvin from your years at Camino.  Please accept our warm, heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
With love,  Chuck & Dona

Dear Eva, I have good memories of the years Marvin & you Pastor-ed our Camino Church.  Earl always thought the world of Marvin and it is interesting that they died just a week apart.  My thoughts and prayers are with you as we both learn to live without the "love of our life".  With my love, Elaine

Dear Eva, Pastor Seibel was my Bible teacher at Rio Lindo Academy.  More recently Kip and I got know him  here in Mt Shasta as a wonderful, positive, Christian man.   He was always such an encouragement to be around.  Linda (& Kip) Rogers... Mt. Shasta, CA

Dear Eva and family,
I am thankful for uncle Marvin and to receive some of his books from his library. He will be missed. I am sorry for your great loss. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. Love Eric and Mahalia

Dear Eva and family,I have so many fond memories of all of you. Marvin was a handsome and wonderful man. He was truly a blessing to all who knew him.He also had a great sense of humor.i can remember riding my horse by his house in Turlock and him bringing Wendi out to to see us.Great man,great memories.

Dear Eva--We were blessed for having known you and Marvin and remember so fondly the years at Mt. Tabor.  He was a special, wonderful Christian gentleman and the world is a better place for his having been here.  It will be a glorious day when you are reunited with him in Heaven.  Thoughts and prayers are with you.   Doug and Jan Carlson

August 25, 2013
Dear Eva,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the families of Marlene, Doug, and Wendy. Marvin was a caring, wonderful, gentleman, friend and Christian Godly man. He was a wonderful Pastor and appreciated him when we were all at Mt. Tabor, and a forever friend. God's promises of Heaven and happy memories will give you comforting peace.
With our love,
Glen and Jeanette

OBITUARY

Pastor Marvin M. Seibel

July 31, 1925 – August 15, 2013

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home

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