Marvin L. Hendrix, 75

September 28, 2018

Marvin L. Hendrix, 75, of Gainesville, Florida (and recently of Lititz, PA), passed away on September 28, 2018 after an extended battle with leukemia. He was the son of Harry H. Hendrix and Helen R. (Thoman) Hendrix of Shrewsbury, PA. Marvin was married 5 years to Phyllis Livsey of Gainesville, Florida. Marvin was previously married 48 years to Lynne Mc Williams Hendrix until her death in Lititz, PA.
Marvin was known for using his God-given talents in accounting throughout his life, wherever God sent him. He always found ways to serve others. With a life-long heart for missions, Marvin began his career as a School Business Manager and part-time Teacher at McCurdy Mission School in Espanola, NM. There Marvin and Lynne began their family. Returning to PA a few years later, he worked in Public Accounting and as a General Accounting Manager. In 1977 Marvin and family moved to New Jersey where Marvin worked as Account Manager and Accounting Controller for Bio Dynamics. In 1992 a company merger took Marvin to Virginia, working as the Assistant Treasurer for Applied Bioscience International. In 1998 they moved to Lititz, PA where Marvin worked for Denver and Ephrata Telephone Company as the Financial Reporting Manager, retiring in 2005. As a member of Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, Marvin served on the Mission Board, Crown Financial Ministry, the Counting Team and he was Treasurer of the Witness Park Cemetery Board. Marvin also served as the Treasurer and Financial Secretary for the Lititz Warwick Community Chest, often helping with food deliveries.
Marvin always had a love for and strong belief in the value of church schools and camps. His first service experience was with Red Bird Mission, a school connected to the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Beverly, Kentucky. However, Marvin’s most significant impact was with Camp Orchard Hill in Dallas, PA. In 1996 Marvin was elected to serve as the Financial Secretary on the EDA (Eastern District Association) of the Evangelical Free Church of America. He was appointed to the Camp Management Team which was tasked with evaluating the viability of the ministry of Camp Orchard Hill. He was an integral part of this team in helping the camp ministry not only survive but thrive and grow. He served as Treasurer for the COH board of directors for 9 years and continued to support Camp Orchard Hill in many ways from hands on help to financial support. Through this work he built a legacy that will continue to impact young people for Christ for years to come.
When Marvin married Phyllis he joined her in serving with China Outreach Ministries with international students at the University of Florida (Giving Christ to China’s Future Leaders). Marvin was quickly welcomed and loved by many of the international scholars and students at UF. Together they built relationships with these individuals by acclimating them to American culture, and in most cases became their friends, ultimately giving them an opportunity to share their faith in Jesus Christ. Marvin was also a member of Westside Baptist Church and active with their international ministry as a Florida resident.
In addition to his wife Phyllis, he is survived by two daughters: Liana, wife of Christopher Riviere of Charlotte, NC and their son Austin, as well as their son Sterling and his wife, Natalie, of Cypress, CA; Holly, wife of William Waddell of Waldorf, MD and their children, Jacob and Kayleigh; John and Robin Zydallas of Jersey Shore, PA; and Phyllis’ children; Phillip and Rebekah O’Brien of Lilburn, GA, and their children Andrew and Connor; and Aaron and Joni O’Brien of Lancaster, PA and their son, Mason. He is also survived by two sisters: Helen, wife of Trig Rohrbach of Boerne, TX; and Jean, wife of George Lebo of Mechanicsburg, PA.
On Monday, October 1, 2018 the family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 PM followed by a memorial service honoring Marvin’s life and testimony beginning at 3:00 PM at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 823 NW 143 St., Newberry, FL 32699.
On Friday, October 5, 2018 the family will receive friends from 6-8 PM at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. On Saturday, October 6, 2018 there will be a viewing at 1:00 PM followed by a memorial service honoring Marvin’s life and testimony at 2:00 PM at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church (LEFC), 419 Pierson Road, Lititz, PA 17543 with The Rev. Tony Hunt officiating. Interment will be in Witness Park Cemetery, Lititz, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Camp Orchard Hill, 640 Orange Rd., Dallas, PA 18612 or online at www.camporchardhill.com and China Outreach Ministries, 555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite A-200, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 marked for “COM Missionary Support”.