Rev. Marvin Fortel, 32° KCCH
(Nov 29, 1916 - Oct 20, 2010)
Member, Liberty Lodge #31

1987 - 32° Consistory of Western Missouri, Kansas City
1993 - Knight Commander of the Court of Honour

The Reverend Marvin Fortel’s life was shaped by stories from his own life and imagination, from other people’s lives, and from the Bible. Now the story of his own life has ended with his death at home on October 20, 2010. His beloved wife of 68 years, Harriet Elizabeth Sprouse Fortel, was with him. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 29, 1916. A United Methodist minister, Reverend Fortel graduated from McKendree College and from the Boston University School of Theology. His was a ministry of relationships as he served God by serving and loving the people of God in United Methodist congregations in Newburyport, Massachusetts; Elsberry, Missouri; Epworth, St. Paul’s, Kingshighway in St. Louis, Missouri; Kirksville, Rolla, Grandview, and Liberty, Missouri. After his retirement from fulltime pastoral ministry he served as associate for pastoral care at Blue Springs First and later as part-time pastor of Oakland. Reverend Fortel gladly served as volunteer chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs for more than 8,000 hours.

Reverend Fortel was the Chaplain for the Ararat Shrine for 19 years, the Kansas City Scottish Rite where he was honored as a KCCH and a member of other Masonic organizations. His gracious spirit and his listening heart have been a blessing to family, friends and members of the congregations he served.