Marvin E. Bledsoe, 69, Clinton, OK, a native of Osawatomie, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001, in Inegris Clinton Regional Hospital after a long illness.

Known as "Birdseed", he was born Oct. 11, 1931 in Osawatomie. He was the son of John Q. and Elsie Alexander Bledsoe. He grew up in Osawatomie where he attended school, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1949.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and before he was honorably discharged, he had spent time in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force.

Upon returning to Osawatomie, he was employed by Darby, Inc. He retired in the late 1980's and moved to Oklahoma in 1991 to be near his brother. He had lived in the Clinton Veterans Center since 1992.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion while living in Osawatomie.

Survivors inclde his brother, Thurman bledsoe of Oklahoma city; four nephews; and one niece.

Services were July 27 in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Services were cared for b the Stanley-Lee Funeral Home in Clinton.