Wilmer Earl Marshall ‘Curly-Gas Man’ – Center Township
Wilmer Earl Marshall, 87, of Center Township, died Friday afternoon, October 5, 2012, in the comfort of his home, with family at his side.
He was the last surviving child born to the late William Earl and Eva (Allison) Marshall on October 9, 1924, in Bakerstown, PA. He was the beloved husband of 29 years to Virginia (Wycoff) Smaltz Marshall, whom he married January 7, 1983; loving father of Vicky (Troy) Hensley of Wingate, TX, and Janet (Lenny) Schroth of Wampum, and cherished grandfather of Jessica Schroth of Wampum and Matthew Lee Schroth, Senior Airman, U.S.A.F. of Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA. Also surviving are the apples of his eyes, his great-granddaughters, Breanna Lynn and Leah Jaelle Schroth-Killen, and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy J. (Schmidt) Marshall, in 1981; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mildred (Norm) Bucholz and Ruth (Bill) Polanosky; a very special niece, Gail Polanosky, in 2008, and his stepson, Ralph E. Smaltz Jr., in 1991.
Wilmer was employed by Peoples Natural Gas Company for 37 years as a customer service representative. He also was a very active member of the North Branch Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and on the finance and facilities committees and chancel project. He was also an active member of the Monaca Center Lions Club for many years, serving as president from 1984 to 1985. He received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award in Lionism, and the, Lion of the Year for outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to Lionism. In 1990, he received the Presidential Award for outstanding service. He was a 49 year member of the Monaca Center Masonic Lodge No. 791 F&AM and was a former member of the Beaver Valley Woodcarvers Association. He was a lifetime member of the Non Commissioned Officers Association and VFW Post 1861. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946. He was trained as a corsair mechanic and later served in the Pacific Theater as a part of the Occupation Force in Japan. After the war, he was discharged as a staff sergeant.
Friends are welcome to call Monday from 12 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, INC., CENTER TOWNSHIP, 3475 Brodhead Road, Monaca. Family and friends are asked to meet at North Branch United Presbyterian Church, 119 North Branch Road, Monaca, PA 15061, on Tuesday where a celebration of Wilmer's life will be held at 11 a.m., with participating pastors, Rev. Dr. William Silver, of Bridgewater Presbyterian Church, Pastor Dennis Stranges, of the Vineyard Church, Sunbury, OH, and Pastor Andy Beery, of the North Branch Presbyterian Church, officiating.
The family encourages anecdotes, expressions of love and stories of how Wilmer may have touched your life.
Full military honors will follow at the conclusion of religious services at the church.
Private interment will take place at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester.
All are welcome to join the family for a time of refreshments and fellowship in the church social hall following services.
His family extends very special thanks for the wonderful care and loving support given by the Good Samaritan Hospice group. We love and appreciate all that you have done to help the transition from this life to life eternal, we know he is safely in the arms of our loving heavenly Father and at peace.
Members of the Monaca Center Lions Club will conduct a memorial service Monday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of the MCCONNELL FUNERAL HOME, 447 Pine St., Hookstown, PA 15050, Daniel M. McConnell, Owner-Director, 724-573-9511.
