Marvin Cave

Clarence Marvin Cave of Greenwood, IN passed peacefully on March 3, 2023 at the age of 97.

Born on October 4, 1925 in Crystal, IN, in Dubois County to Clarence Herschel and Emma (Angerer) Cave, Marv was the 3rd of five children.

He was predeceased by Martha, Elaine, Harold and Harry.   After seven years at Crystal Grade School and one year at Hillham Grade School he graduated from French Lick High School in 1943.  Basketball played a significant role in Marv’s life as he led the French Lick Red Devils to successful seasons his Junior and Senior years.

In 1943 Marv joined the U.S. Navy and participated in the V-12 training program.  Following training at Berea College, Indiana State University and the University of Notre Dame he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and assigned to the USS White Plains CVE-66 escort carrier.  After his military service Marv finished his undergraduate studies at Butler  and played basketball for the Bulldogs under Tony Hinkle.  While at Butler Marv married Patricia Moore, of West Baden Springs, on March 30, 1947.   

Pat predeceased Marv in 2017 after 70 years of marriage.  After nine successful years as a High school teacher and head basketball coach at Worthington, Decatur Central and Frankfort Marv charted a new career path when he went to work at Eli Lilly and Company.  Following an extremely successful 32 year career at Lilly Marv retired as Vice President of Human Resources and Industrial Relations in 1988.  

An avid basketball fan, Marv held season tickets with both IU and the Indiana Pacers for many years.  He was former member of the Country Club of Indianapolis for many years.  His two most cherished awards were being named a Sagamore of the Wabash and being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.  

However his greatest enjoyment in life came from relating to members of his church, former basketball teammates and players who he coached and to the entire Cave family.

Marv enjoyed summer trips to the Northwoods of Wisconsin where he spent many happy days fishing, golfing and in the company of his children, grandchildren and friends.

He enjoyed wintering in Florida on Longboat Key and more recently on North Hutchinson Island and golfing with his friends.

Marv took special joy in watching his five granddaughters grow from infants to successful young women with families of their own. This joy extended to seeing the arrival of four great-grandchildren.

Marv is survived by his daughter Cynthia Dittman (Thomas), Mesa, AZ and son Jeffrey Cave (Gretchen), Greenwood, IN, five granddaughters: Sarah Thomas (Matt), Elizabeth Chapman (Peter) with great-grandchildren Elise and Thomas, Rebekah Sabatino (Michael) with great-grandchildren Rori and Matthew, Erin Cave and Hannah Warner (Joe).

Visitation will be 3-6pm on Thursday March 9 at Smith Valley United Methodist Church,5293 Old Smith Valley Road, Greenwood. Services will follow afterwards. Arrangements entrusted to G. H. Herrmann Funeral Home at The Gardens of Olive Branch, Greenwood, IN.

For the benefit of family in southern Indiana, there will be a visitation on Friday, March 10 from 12-2pm at Brosmer-Kemple Funeral Home, 9640 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN.  A graveside service will follow at Crystal Community Cemetery in Crystal, IN.