Marvin Lester Cottrell, 97, of Onaga, Kansas, died Thursday, November 13, 2014, at the Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia, Kansas.  He was a life-long resident of the community.

Marvin was born May 12, 1917, north of Corning, Kansas, the son of Lester and Jennie Kemplay Cottrell.  He attended local schools and graduated in 1935 from Corning High School.

He married Mary Elizabeth Harries on April 26, 1945, in Seneca, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on February 27, 2011.

Marvin was the Auctioneer  and owner of Onaga Community Sale Barn and Cottrell Auction from 1954 until 1974.  He also was a realtor, cattle buyer, and the owner of Cottrell Brothers Lumber Yard in Corning.  Prior to the sale barn, he worked as a carpenter building mostly commercial structures around the area, including on Fort Riley and DeSoto Ammunitions Plant.  He and his wife enjoyed bowling and Marvin also was the oldest driver in the Mini Hotrod Tractor Pull circuit with his tractor, “Papa Time”.  He participated in tractor pulls over several different states.  He was a member of First Congregational Church in Onaga.

Marvin is survived by his children; Helen Paxson (Phil), Topeka, Charles Cottrell (Janie), Centralia, and Warren Cottrell, Onaga; his brother, Arthur Cottrell, Corning; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Howard; granddaughter, Debra King; and brother, Bermin Cottrell.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at First Congregational Church in Onaga, Kansas.  Burial will follow at Corning Cemetery.  Mr. Cottrell will lie-in-state, at the church, beginning at 4:00 p.m., Monday, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  They suggest memorial contributions to Eastridge Nursing Facility or First Congregational Church, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Kufahl Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be made a www.campanellafuneral.com.