Robert Wilson Marsh (2008)

MARSH, BICKELHAUPT, HADLEY, WILLRICH, SMITH, RASMUSSEN

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/11/2009 at 08:58:50

Earlham Advocate, Earlham, Iowa
October 2008

ROBERT WILSON MARSH

Robert W. Marsh, age 90, of 439 Marshall St. in Dexter, Iowa died Thursday October 2, 2008, at Community Care Center in Stuart.

He was born September 21, 1918, in the family farm home, to Henry L. and Anna B. (Bickelhaupt) Marsh in Lincoln Township, Adair County, near Dexter, Iowa. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1936. He enlisted in the Navy, serving with the 9th Naval Construction Battalion, known later as the “Seabees”, in Iceland, Hawaii, Tinian and Okinawa, from February 1942 until his discharge in December 1945.

He married Fern Leon Hadley, February 2, 1947, in Dexter. They farmed and raised four children on a farm south of town for 35 years, retiring to Dexter in 1982. He was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church and active in Farm Bureau and American Legion. Church, his family, farming and Dexter activity was Bob's life. Farming was his passion, taking a ride to check the crops the day before he passed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern and parents, a sister Barbara Willrich, and a son, John A. Marsh.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann (Duane) Smith of Princeton,IL; sons, Richard W. (Mary Jo) Marsh and David L. ( Shelley) Marsh, both of Dexter, brothers, Howard Marsh of Stuart and George Marsh of Dexter; sister, Marlene Rasmussen, of Mesa, Az; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday Oct. 6, 10:30 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter. Pastor Leon Hodges officiated and Zelda Paullin was the organist. Special music was: “My Hope is Built On Nothing Less”, “Jesus Love Me”, “I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus” and “Beautiful Savior”. Alex Smith, Brandon Marsh, Gavin Marsh, Greg Labuda, Bob Heim, Josh Olson and Charles Miller were pallbearers. Kathleen Labuda, Elizabeth Smith, Madior Dieng, M. Leigh Marsh, Janessa Marsh, Angelena Heim, Amber Olson, Ashley Miller, Amanda Marsh, Lisha Marsh were honorary pallbearers.

Interment was at Dexter Cemetery. Military Graveside Rites: Dexter American Legion Post 419.
Kuhn Funeral Homes, Dexter, Redfield, Earlham.