Marvin "Marv" Wirtz

Marvin “Marv” Wirtz, 90, of Lena, IL, formerly of Galena, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Saturday, August 4, 2018, Marv was born in Waukegan, Il on April 18, 1928 to William & Alice Wirtz, and followed by siblings Jack (Lillian) Wirtz of Elizabeth, Arnold (Ruth) Wirtz, of Loyal, WI, and Marian (Phil) Brown. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Audrey Wirtz, nee Shipman, and children Marcia (Chris) Teel of Davenport, IA, Karen (Evan) Audette of Crystal Lake, IL, Bill (Meghan) Wirtz of Lena, IL and grandchildren, Jodi (Mike) Arp (great-grandson due in November) and Kara Ott, Nate and Brian Audette, Sophie, Colette and Teddy Wirtz. Marv is also survived by his two brothers and many nieces and nephews.   Marv was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marian, in-laws Phil Brown, Ester and Alonzo Shipman, Ruth and Marvin Flynn, Dorothy Robinson and one niece. Marv’s wife, children and grandchildren were the most important thing in his life.  He did everything in his power to provide for his family and to ensure their well-being, and he succeeded.  He welcomed friends of Marcia, Karen and Bill as family. Marv and Audrey’s door was always open to friends and neighbors. During his youth he was active with the 4-H Club and continued his passion for agriculture when he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana in 1950. Marv was a member of the Galena United Methodist Church, the JoDaviess County Longbeards and was a member of the Masons for 69 years where he was a Third Degree Mason.  He retired from Kraft Foods after 30+ years of service. Marv enjoyed hunting, fishing, chasing morels and baseball.  He was a mentor and coach to many youth in these areas. The family would like to thank the home healthcare staff of Angels Aides, Monroe Hospice and Volunteer Hospice of Northwest Illinois. A visitation will be held on August 19 at the Galena United Methodist Church, 125 S. Bench St., Galena, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, with a service beginning at 3:00 p.m.

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