Marvin J. Dax

With hope and thanksgiving, we announce the passing of Marvin Joseph Dax at his home in Two Rivers surrounding by family singing his favorite songs on January 17, 2022, the birthday of his loving wife, Clair (Servais), of 63 years. He was 92-1/2 years young.
Marvin Dax was born at home on June 26, 1929, the fifth child of twelve born to Herman and Mabel Dax in Kewaunee. He grew up hauling at his grandpa’s primitive farm, playing baseball on the lawn and basketball on the driveway, studying diligently at Holy Cross Catholic School, serving faithfully at Latin Mass, and enjoying the blessings of a simple home life with his eleven siblings. He attended Kewaunee High School graduating in 1947 while earning cash setting up bowling pins with his brother and loving football, basketball, and a short stint boxing.
After high school, he lived at home in Kewaunee. He worked on the railroad in town having the most fun ever on a job with all the guys. He helped a local carpenter assemble and sand ambos for churches. He worked putting beading on the top edge of kettles at Leyse Aluminum. He then worked with his father at Wood Steel. He earned enough to buy a black Studebaker that he shined almost every day. When his father joined Hamilton Industries, he asked Marvin to help him install medical furniture in New York state. Marvin drove his Studebaker and made it but, without a map, went 700 miles out of the way. In 1951, Marvin was drafted into the Army, trained at Fort Sheridan, and spent two years as military police in Korea. He often recalled the terrible sea sickness on the boat ride and, on one occasion, accidently discharging a round from his weapon through the top of his tent. He loved his little Korean boy helper, Kim, and later chose this name for his son.
Upon his return home from Korea in 1953, he played baseball for the Kewaunee team in the Cherry League. His team won many games and championships in a large part due to his blazing sidearm fastballs and nasty curve balls from the mound. Now, he was disappointed that his Studebaker was sold while away so he picked out a robin egg blue Buick with a white top at a dealer in Kewaunee. He was a true gentlemen and loved to dance and roller skate. On a winter night that same year, he drove his Buick to a dance at the Rendezvous in Luxemburg. At a moment of divine grace that night, as was customary, he cut in to dance with a beautiful woman from Champion whom he found out to be a secretary at Crust Buick in Green Bay. Not surprising, Crust Buick became his dealer of choice to service his car and used every opportunity there to stare over the counter at that beautiful secretary never sharing a word with her. They continued to see each other at dances and, as was customary, eventually asked to drive her home. She accepted the ride in his Buick sandwiched between brothers and friends. The men waited in the car as he walked her to the door. They later engaged Christmas Day, 1956.
He married that beautiful secretary, Clair, his one and only, on June 9, 1958, in Champion. They made their home together in Two Rivers where he worked with his father and brothers at Hamilton Industries until laid off after 28 years. He rode his bike to work regardless of the weather coming home almost every day for lunch with his entire family. On occasion, he stayed to play basketball at the Community House. He worked as a part time painter and handman thereafter. He was a humble, ordered man and enjoyed simplicity in life. By his deeds and example, he lived his faith and raised a devout Catholic family mirroring his patron saint, St. Joseph, as members of Holy Redeemer Parish. He cherished being home with his family. He enjoyed working in the yard and garden to make a perfect home while listening to his crackly radio. He was an accomplished athlete passionate about sports and continued to play his favorites including old timers’ games well into his 50’s. He relished time in his small woodworking shop creating many beautiful display cubes, dressers, desks, and drawer units from bargain wood and parts purchased at Hamilton employee sales. In 1965, he and Grover Wolf started the Lakeshore Peddlers Bicycle Club. He rode thousands of miles, by day and by moonlight, by himself, with the club, and with family and friends. He challenged himself to long organized bike rides up to 300 miles in two days throughout the state and has many patches to show what he achieved.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Road, Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Dave Pleier with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers. Military honors will be accorded immediately following the service at the church by members of American Legion Post #165 and VFW Post #1248 of Two Rivers.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. There will be no Sunday evening visitation.
The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.
Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 18th St., Two Rivers, is assisting the family with arrangements.