MARVIN MORIN obituary

HAYS - Marvin M. "Fatty" Morin, 67, an artist and sculptor, died Thursday, Sept, 25, 2003, at a Billings hospital of natural causes.

A wake, rosary was held Sunday evening at the St. Paul's Mission Recreation Center. A Mass was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Paul's Mission Church with interment in the St. Paul's Mission Cemetery.

Marvin was born on May 31, 1936, at Fort Belknap to Michael and Marie (Doney) Morin. Following high school, Marvin entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 20, 1953. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 19, 1956, after having served three years with the 82nd Airborne Divison at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Marvin married Arlene Ann Healy in 1960. With the death of his wife in 1971, Marvin took on the task of raising four sons by himself. After they all graduated and the youngest went into the Marines, Marvin, too, bailed out. He went to New York City, Nashville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Chicago. The highlight of his rambling was a demonstration he put on at Pittsburgh's David L. Lawrence Convention Center. On April 4, 1986, working before 1,000 horse lovers, Marvin sculpted a mongrel stallion in two hours for the National Equestrian Society. He said he had to satisfy all of them and the horse had an Arabian head, was muscled like a quarter horse, but still resembled a thoroughbred.

Marvin had his bout with the bottle. The last time he took a drink was New Year's Eve 1979. And he also quit smoking some years ago.

Marvin married Leslie G. Pavlik on April 9, 1988 in Hays.

His hobby was playing the old-time fiddle. He had played in contests all over America. He was adept on any stringed instrument made. So are his kids, who are known as the "Bad Habit Band."

Marvin was proud of his mtis ancestry. He was half Chippewa-Cree and half French.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Marie Morin; brothers, Bryce and Blaine Morin; sister, Constance Morin; and son, Kelly Gardipee.

Survivors include his wife, Leslie G. Morin of Hays; sons, Michael "Iggy" Morin, Kin (Kay) Morin, Warren (Candy) Morin, Gary Bradley, all of Hays, Brad "Chug" Morin of Harlem, Frank A. (Zona) McConnell of Dodson, Clinton Phillips of Forman, Ark.; daughters, Karlene Cochran of Ellendale, N.D., Margaret Ellen Lawrence of Flour Mount, Texas; brothers Ronald "Dodo" Morin of Coal City, Ill., Douglas Morin of Butler, Pa., Dwight "Oscar" Morin of Harlem; sister, Rose Marie Ogden of Pendleton, Ore.; 29 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.