of Vilonia,

May 15, 1938 - June 8, 2013

Marvin John Tanner, of Vilonia passed away at the age of 75 on June 8, 2013 at Conway Regional Medical Center. Marvin was born on May 15, 1938 in Kankakee, Illinois. His parents Alvin J. and Alice H. Tanner, his sister Pat Johnson, brother in-law Doug Johnson, and great niece, Sarah Bearden, predecease Marvin.

When Marvin was seventeen, the Tanner family moved from Kankakee, IL to Vilonia, AR to start their own dairy farm. Marvin graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas) with double majors in Chemistry and Mathematics then taught at El Dorado High School briefly before moving back to Vilonia to work with his father in the dairy business. The family's long-standing residence earned city recognition by renaming their address from simply a Rural Route, to Tanner Lane. After retiring from farming, Marvin worked as a kitchen assistant at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church in Little Rock, AR.

Marvin loved quotes, one-liners and jokes. After his move to Heritage Living Center, he spread his unique sense of humor with new friends and was known throughout the staff for his love to tell jokes. If he couldn't think of one (a rare event), his niece tried to show him how to Google more to add to his repertoire. When he wasn't solving Soduko puzzles or enjoying one of his many DVDs from Harry Potter to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or winning funny Heritage Center money at Bingo, he loved to be taken to explore the electronics section of any store.

Marvin is survived by his niece, Karyl (Richard) Bearden of Little Rock and nephew, Christopher (Beni) Johnson of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by an aunt, Lela Tanner (Houston, TX), cousins David (Mona) Tanner (Houston, TX), Dana Tanner-Kennedy (Westport, CN), Russell Tanner (Austin, TX) and great nieces and nephews: Ashley Bearden (Maumelle, AR), Jordan Bearden (Washington D.C.), James Bearden (Little Rock, AR) and, Tanner Johnson (Houston, TX).
We want to include Brenda and Gordon Higgins as our extended family, who embraced Marvin during very difficult times and provided support as only family can. Their friendship and love is truly God-sent.

A service of celebration, officiated by Reverend Belinda Price will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 13, 2013 at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Arkansas, (501-327-7727). Marvin will be interred at Sixteenth Section Cemetery in Austin, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Gordon Higgins, Ray Boyd, Steve Elliott, Christopher Johnson, Richard Bearden, James Bearden, and honorary pallbearer, Tanner Johnson. Memorials are encouraged to be given to charities of personal choice or may be given to the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The family of Marvin Tanner would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the staff of Heritage Living Center. We know his life was blessed for having your care. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Conway Fire Department, Emergency Medical Team, and to Conway Regional Medical Center emergency room doctors and nurses for your commitment and compassion.

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