Howard Marshall

Howard Marshall was a kind, considerate man who brought immense happiness into the lives of all who knew him. He cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much love and laughter. Howard had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to the many people he knew throughout his life. In the year 1932, America found itself in trouble as the Great Depression pushed towards new heights, and one in every four individuals was unemployed. It was a hard and challenging time, but in Muskegon, Michigan, Glen Marshall and his wife, Doris (Liddle), maintained their upbeat spirits by focusing on a special blessing in their lives. On October 11, 1932, they welcomed the birth of their second child, a son they named Howard James Marshall. Along with his older sister, Eunice, Howard grew up on the north side of Muskegon in the Jackson Hill neighborhood, where the family attended the First Lutheran Church. Howard enjoyed a typical childhood of the time, attending Froebel School, and spending much of his leisure time outside playing sports. While his mother was a traditional homemaker, his father provided for their family working in road construction. Howard went on to graduate from Muskegon High School, where he was the kicker on the football team. Like many other young men of the time, Howard received his draft notice from the U.S. Army shortly after graduating and was sent overseas to serve during the Korean War. Unfortunately, he was shot in the leg during battle, and although he rightly deserved a Purple Heart for his bravery, Howard never accepted one because he didnt want his mother to know he was wounded. After 2 years, Howard was able to return home to Muskegon. Shortly after, he was attending a friends wedding reception in Laketon Township when he met the most beautiful young lady named Dolores Dodie Kietzman, who was living in town with relatives while working at Sealed Power. The two soon began dating, fell hopelessly in love and were happily married on April 14, 1956, in Tustin, Michigan. Funny, Howard used to joke that he and Dodie werent really married because the pastor slipped and called him by the wrong name during the ceremony. The newlyweds settled into married life together on the north side of Muskegon in Laketon Township. Eventually, they put down roots in their own home here, where they happily raised their three children: Susan (1960), Bruce (1962) and Marinell (1965). The family was faithful members of the First Lutheran Church, where the children were all baptized. To support their growing family, Howard worked for Consumers Power Co. as a Control Operator in the BC Cobb Plant in Muskegon. However, after 20 years, he transferred to the Campbell Plant in Port Sheldon, and remained here until retiring. Although Howard was successful in his career, it was apparent that his most important job in life was taking caring of his wife and children. Time together as a family was important to Howard and Dodie, and they took many opportunities to get away and have some fun. They loved to go camping and had been to many campgrounds all over Michigan, including Sleeping Bear Dunes and places in the Upper Peninsula. When first starting out, the family camped in tents but gradually moved up to a 5th wheel. For many years, Howard also owned a few different boats, including a cabin cruiser and good size fishing boats. He enjoyed a day on the water fishing with his son, Bruce, and his buddies. In the early 1980s, when Howard began working in Port Sheldon, he and Dodie decided to move here to be closer to his work. Then, with 37 years of dedicated service under his belt, Howard retired from Consumers, and he and Dodie moved north to Ravenna to be near their children and grandchildren. Besides enjoying lots of time with their loved ones, Howard and Dodie stayed active together, playing golf and bowling on a couples league as members of the Muskegon Eagles (Howard also bowled on the mens league). They had so much fun on several out-of-town tournaments with the league. Howard was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and VFW #8846 Don Rea Post. For the last 18 years, Howard and Dodie loved to escape the Michigan winters for some sun and sand in Ruskin, Florida. The couple enjoyed socializing with all their friends here, and Howard had a boat here too so he could fish every day. Over the years, Howard battled with some health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes and having a pacemaker implanted in 2001, but he was always able to keep them under control and didnt let them interfere with living life. Last week, Howard had surgery to clear some blockages in his legs, which was successful and he was recovering quite well. However, something turned drastically wrong, and despite the efforts of medical personnel, Howard passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Howard will be greatly missed. Howard J. Marshall, age 77, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dodie; daughters, Susan (Chris) Bouck of Kent City, Marinell (Mike) Praay of Ravenna; son, Bruce (Karen) Marshall of West Olive; grandchildren: Angela (Francisco) Paniagua, Brandy Bouck, Meghan Marshall, Troy Marshall, Elizabeth (Blake) Kruzel, Danielle (Scott) McClain, Shaun Praay; great grandchildren, Antonio and Ellie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eunice Kingsbury. Services will be on Friday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Bill Uetricht officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation is on Thursday, August 5, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Alzheimer's Association. Please visit Howards memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign the online guest book.