Marion "Smokey" John Stover

Marion John “Smokey” Stover Marion John Stover, 79, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Marion was born in Chehalis on June 10, 1934 to John and Golda Stover. Marion attended school in Onalaska and graduated from Onalaska High School in 1952. He immediately joined the US Navy and became a Seabee. Following Basic Training, he was stationed on Adak Island, Alaska. In March 1953, he came home on leave and married Marlene Szelap of Onalaska. He then was stationed on Guam for the following two years. Upon discharge from the Navy and return home, he farmed in Onalaska with his father-in-law and attended Centralia College. Marion began working for Central Reddi-Mix, Chehalis, in 1960 and retired in 1996 after 36 years. He also co-owned Washington Vacuum Service and SouthBranch Trucking with Onlalaska classmate and co-worker Rolland Weiher. In 1982, Marion married Vivian Huckstep of Adna. Together they enjoyed many years of snow birding to Arizona and Southern California. Marion’s hobbies included weekend logging with John Alexander and the boys. He was a skilled woodworker and pleasured in building fine furniture for himself, family members, and many others in the community. As his health failed and he was no longer able to work in his woodshop, Marion started baking cookies on a regular basis. Everyone enjoyed his special deliveries and the stories of how he tweaked the recipe – no cookie should go without nuts. He always looked forward to his Saturday morning breakfast at Frosty’s with the guys. Marion is survived by his wife, Vivian Stover, of Adna; two daughters and their spouses, Maretta and Jerry Boes, Chehalis, and Marilyn and Jack Haskins, Rochester; and stepdaughter, Vivianne (Huckstep) Scully of Jupiter, Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer Groberg, Samantha Vonderscheer, Alicia Miller, Brandon Haskins, Colleen Scully and Megan Scully; great grandchildren, Paul Vonderscheer, Molly Vonderscheer, and Jackson Groberg; several nephews and a niece; and sisters-in-law, Margie Cristler of Prosser, and Shirley Stover, Toledo. Marion was preceded in death by his parents, John and Golda Stover; brother, Robert Stover; and sister, Mary Jane Baldwin. Honoring Marion’s request, no funeral service will be held. A gathering of family and friends will be arranged at a later date. Donations in his name may be made to Visiting Nurses Foundation, Centralia, or to the American Cancer Society. Please leave memories of Marion or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.