HOWARD JAMES MARSH

Howard J. Marsh, age 83, of Columbia City, died at 8:49 p.m. after a sudden illness on Friday, March 27, 2009 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City, IN. Born in Cumberland, WI on January 16, 1926, he was the son of Harry A. and Esther (Mills) Marsh.Mr. Marsh grew up in the Hartford City and Sidney areas, graduating from Sidney High School with the Class of 1944. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served in France and Germany during World War II. His first marriage was to Dorothy B. Johnson on November 3, 1950, who preceded him in death on August 14, 1999. On October 28, 2000 he married Dortha Mae Cooper in Columbia City. A resident of Whitley County since 1952, he worked for many years as an inspector of specialty electric motors at General Electric, retiring in 1988. He attended New Life Bible Church and was a member of the Whitley County YMCA, as well as a former member of the American Legion Post #98 and South Whitley VFW.Survivors include his wife, Dortha Mae Marsh of Columbia City; daughter, Roxanne (Jerry) Squires of Larwill; son, Brian Marsh of Columbia City; grandsons, Eric and Joel Squires of Winona Lake, Trenton and Ethan Marsh of Wolf Lake; granddaughter, Bethany Squires of Larwill; sister, Thelma (Al) Hill of Fort Wayne; brother-in-law, Curtiss (Joyce) Johnson of Columbia City; many step-children and step-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and first wife, Dorothy, he was preceded in death by a son, Bradley Erin Marsh and brothers, Arthur, Roger, Robert, and Harry, Jr. Marsh.Visitation is from 2:00 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service is 2:00 p.m. with one hour of calling prior to service on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the funeral home. Pastor Curtiss Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow at Stough Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Marsh to Gideons International or Parkview Whitley Home Health & Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.