Thomas E. Marvel, 83

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Thomas Edward Marvel, 83, of Springfield, died on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at 4:15 p.m. at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

Private graveside services will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield with the Rev. Meredith Manning Brown officiating. Burial will follow, next to his wife. Bisch and Son Funeral Home in Springfield is assisting the family.

Mr. Marvel was born Jan. 12, 1937, in Taylorville, to Amos and Marjorie (Bowen) Marvel. He married Barbara Jean Jones in 1959, in Springfield, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 7, 2016.

He graduated from Springfield High School with the class of 1957. He proudly served his country first in the U.S. Air Force, then with the U.S. Army. After his active service, he remained in the reserves until he was called back to active duty on Dec. 20, 1990, during Operating Desert Storm. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 6, 1991.

Mr. Marvel retired from the Springfield Police Department after 20 years of service. He last served in the detective bureau. He was proud of his many accomplishments, notably, earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from Sangamon State University, serving as the last director of the city jail, working for the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office as a juvenile officer and teaching others at the academy.

He was an avid collector of police memorabilia and was known for his knowledge of police history and collectibles. He was a lifetime member of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church and was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and Ansar Shrine.

Mr. Marvel is survived by his son, Stephen Edward (wife Janice Kay) Marvel of Waggoner; and two grandsons, Julian Alexander (fiancee Madison Lynn Leek) Marvel and Ian James Marvel, both of Waggoner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.