Marvin Wharton

Marvin Lee Wharton passed away at home Tuesday, August 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving daughters and devoted wife, Dorry Lou Wharton, who had spent years caring for him.

Marvin was born in Unison, Virginia on October 23, 1934, to Marvin Simco Wharton and Edith Mae (Martz) Wharton. He had fond memories of growing up with an older brother Robert, and two younger sisters, Patricia, and Betty Ann. He loved his family fiercely while also being a tease and joker.

Marvin joined the US Marines and was honorably discharged in 1960.

He married Betty Catherine Littleton in 1958. Betty died in an automobile accident in 1966. In 1968, Marvin married Dorry Lou Pearson. They've been married for 58 years.

Marvin and Dorry Lou first heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1968. Marvin was fascinated to hear of a church that had members dedicated enough to give up alcohol, coffee, and smoking, and was interested to hear more. Dorry Lou and Vicki were baptized in 1968 and Marvin attended church weekly with his family. Although not a baptized member, he enjoyed teaching Sunday School in Foxboro, Massachusetts. After moving to Idaho, Marvin committed to baptism. He was baptized in 1977 and sealed to his family in the Salt Lake City temple in 1978. He was a faithful and dedicated member of the church and enjoyed talking to strangers and friends alike about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He regularly gave out copies of the Book of Mormon and other church media. He accepted calls to serve the church wherever asked. No matter where he lived, he was an active and faithful home teacher. His love and dedication to “his families” made friends and touched lives.

After moving his family from Virginia to Massachusetts to Idaho and Texas, Marvin was excited to move back to his beloved home state of Virginia in 1988. He and Dorry Lou worked hard to restore a large Victorian home and opened the Whistle Stop Bed and Breakfast in Louisa, Virginia. Always an excellent salesman, Marvin excelled at building a business selling custom-made stairs and stair parts in Virginia as well as promoting the bed and breakfast. He loved to visit with their guests.

Marvin sold his beloved Bed & Breakfast and moved away from his home state again in 2005. He and Dorry Lou settled in Spanish Fork, Utah to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. Marvin reluctantly retired from active employment and spent his time reading and collecting books, working on his genealogy, and writing and publishing his own history and personal journals.

Marvin and Dorry Lou served a mission for their church in the Kirkland, Ohio mission. They especially loved serving in Hiram, Ohio at John Johnson’s Farm. Marvin loved testifying of Jesus Christ while meeting and visiting with people from all over the world and local community members in Hiram, as well as current owners of the home previously owned by Lorenzo and Eliza Snow.

Marvin loved learning, with a special interest in Church history and the US Civil War. He had a life-long love of reading and collecting books. He was thrilled to display and show others his expansive collection. Always a sentimental soul, he expanded his collecting to include all things old such as milk bottles, marbles, bottle openers, match books, license plates, tools, etc. Marvin was active and passionate in politics. He served on the city council in Louisa, Virginia, and was an active participant in the caucus system in Utah. Marvin campaigned tirelessly for his chosen candidates, wrote hundreds of letters to politicians and newspapers, and continually tried to make his town and country a better place.

A lifelong people-lover, in his later years, he was happiest when someone came to visit. In the final months of his life, he discovered 44-ounce sodas were only $1.50 from the local Fast Gas and became a dedicated soda drinker. His face lit up when someone came through the door carrying a large cup filled with pebbled ice, soda and a straw.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Dorry Lou Wharton, son, Bill (Debra) Wharton of Effingham, South Carolina, and his 5 daughters; Victoria (Jeff) May of Sherman, Texas, Dawn (Carvel) Hymas, of Burley, Idaho, Tammy Wharton of Provo, Utah, Beth (Michael) Pearson of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Tiffeny (Kevin) Pickett of Bountiful, Utah, and his sister Betty Ann Weatherholtz of Inwood, West Virginia. Marvin and Dorry Lou have 20 living grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty, his son, Daniel Wharton, his grandson, Justin Wharton, and siblings Patricia Brewer Kihlander and Robert Wharton. He will be sorely missed by his family and those that love him.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 1715 East 750 South in Spanish Fork, Utah. Viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Funeral will be begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial at Utah Veteran's Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah at 2pm.