Marvin "Digger" Bailey

Marvin Bailey, 96, of Albion, IL passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025 at home with his loving family and caregivers by his side.

He was born April 9th, 1929 at home in the baseline bottoms to Floyd and Emily (Ile) Bailey. Marvin married Shirley Dunlap on June 17th, 1948. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Marvin worked as an oil field worker and started his Marvin Bailey Backhoe Service in 1957. He was better known as Backhoe or Digger Bailey.

Marvin was preceded in death by his wife Shirley (married just shy of 75 years); brothers Virgil and George; and sister Helen, and two infant sisters Beulah Irene and Dorothy; great-grandchildren Max Bailey and Nova Howell.

He is survived by three daughters, Linda “Jo” Bailey, Glenda (J. Dean) Gillard, Elizabeth (Rick) Pittman; three sons Ron (Maureen) Bailey, Russell (Ann) Bailey, Tom (Kourtney) Bailey; brother John Bailey, sisters-in-law Faith Poor, Ethelee Bunfill; grandchildren Erika Mecum, Rachael Tarpley, Garth Bailey, Michael Bailey, Julie Evans, Matthew Hargrave, Jacob Hargrave, Meggan Hightower, Andrew Gillard, Jennifer Pittman, Jodi Howell, Emily Pittman, Rebekah Pittman, Ragan Anthis, Addie Bailey, Samuel Bailey; great-grandchildren Brianna, Victoria, Michaela, Miles, Jaden, Hanna, Charlie, Dellaney, Ardynn, Owen, Brady, Evelyn, J. Parker, Hunter, Camren, Remi and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Marvin Bailey will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Ingram Meridith Funeral Home in Albion, IL. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. also at Ingram Meridith Funeral Home in Albion, IL. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, east of Albion, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in the name of Marvin Bailey may be given to Albion Senior Citizens Center, Graceland Cemetery, or First Missionary Baptist Church of Albion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Ingram Meridith Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Marvin Bailey with arrangements.