Donald Lee Marvel

Donald Lee Marvel, age 88, of Smyrna, DE died peacefully at home with family on May 17, 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife Joanne Oechsler Marvel, his sister Janet Bishop, his brothers Henry and John, and his parents Henry David and Gladys Jane (Medford) Marvel. He is survived by his son Don Neal Marvel and daughter-in-law Elke Pessl.

He was born in Ridgley, MD and grew up in Mud Mill and Camden Wyoming, DE. A graduate of Caesar Rodney High School, he worked as a bank clerk in Wyoming before going to University of Delaware to earn his BS. He married Joanne in 1963 and they moved to Wilmington where he worked as a CPA for Price Waterhouse and then DuPont until his retirement in 1997. They eventually relocated to Smyrna in 2021.

Don and Joanne cherished the company of family and friends and enjoyed many long, abiding friendships. They loved walking on the beach at Fenwick Island, DE and Marco Island, FL, watching the birds on Lake Como in Smyrna, traveling together, listening to music, going to the theater, observing holiday traditions, sharing meals at their favorite restaurants and gazing at the full moon over the water.

A viewing will be held on Monday, June 1 from 10:00-11:00am at Asbury United Methodist Church, 20 W. Mt. Vernon Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 where a service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Asbury United Methodist Church, 20 W. Mt. Vernon Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 or Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803

Letters of condolence may be sent to: www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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