Marvin Lee LaRoche

Celebrating the Life of Marvin Lee LaRoche  October 10, 1932 to May 14, 2025

Marvin was born the 11th of 13 children in Indiana to Alice and Charles LaRoche. He is survived by his two younger brothers Don (Donna) and Frank (Marie).

He attended Plainfield High School where he was on the basketball team, track, and cross-country. He enlisted in the army in Fort Knox Kentucky during the Korean War and was stationed in England for about two years. There he met Pamela Phillips and they were married on November 12, 1955 in Plainfield Indiana after he mustered out of the army.

They had three boys Paul (Becky), Tony (Cheryl), and Greg (Melanie). Ultimately Marvin raised the three boys on his own for a time with the help of his mother Alice, living in the house he purchased in 1958 for $12,000. Marvin met and later married Nadyne Sojka on June 12, 1965, adding her daughter Vicki (Dennis Fast) to their loving family. Marvin and Nadyne had a long life together, surviving her aneurysm in 1989 until cancer took her life in 2006.

They were faithful members of Plainfield Christian Church for decades, actively attending bible studies and traveling extensively with the Golden Glows group. They were lucky enough to travel both abroad and in the USA. Thankfully they were at the Pentagon the week before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. One of his most proud moments was laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. They were also active members of Beef and Boards for many, many years enjoying shows and dining out with family and friends. Going to Frank & Mary’s in Pittsboro for catfish dinners was one of their favorite places. Bowling on various leagues through the years was a great pastime activity and a night out from the children.

Marvin was a quiet and simple man. He had a dry sense of humor and a quick wit. Marvin was very handy working at various construction jobs and Bridgeport Brass. He was not afraid of hard work and was self-taught in various construction trades. Along with Nadyne and his children and some helping hands from his many siblings, they salvaged lumber from houses being torn down due to the expansion of Indianapolis International airport, dug footings, poured concrete, and built a small lake house at Rocky Fork Lake. Once he even checked out a library book to learn how to lay bricks and build a fireplace for the house. Although he was an avid reader of the Indianapolis Star Newspaper, that construction book was probably the one time he checked out a library book. His creativity and work ethic was evident in the poured concrete benches for his picnic table, the wagon wheel light that hung in the house, and the self made screens for his porch. He also shared his talents and abilities with his family and church. From helping his sons frame house additions, building decks and porches, and building a scale model of Noah’s ark complete with opening doors, and many coat racks for the children’s program at church.

Sports were another one of Marvin’s passions. He dearly loved college basketball and the Indianapolis Colts. In 1997 he was able to attend the Final Four NCAA Basketball College Championship. He was always seen wearing his Indianapolis Colts hat. Gardening was the top summertime pastime for Marvin. Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and bell and banana peppers and zucchini were always on the spring planting list. He was famous for his summer salad of pickled veggies. He would keep the vinaigrette-dressing going for weeks adding new veggies as the old ones were eaten up.

Marvin is survived by two brothers, all four of his children, 11 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.

Raise a glass and toast to a long life, well lived with smiles and gusto. (A cold beer after gardening or a whiskey with Seven-up with the boys were his beverages of choice).

May he rest in peace and God grant eternal rest unto his soul, and the faithful departed. May God grant peace and comfort to the family and friends of Marvin LaRoche.