Cover photo for Bill Marner's Obituary
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1936 Bill 2015

Bill Marner

June 14, 1936 — August 16, 2015

William Paul Marner, 79, passed away August 16, 2015 at Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton, Iowa, from lymphocytic leukemia. As were his wishes, Bill was cremated. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, October 31, 2015, 2:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Chariton, Iowa with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the service. Bill was born on June 14, 1936 in Johnson County, Iowa to Ray E. and Mildred (Means) Marner. He attended country school through seventh grade and attended Iowa City public schools for grades 8-12. He was a proud 1954 graduate of Iowa City High School. Bill received both his Bachelor's Degree in Education and his Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Iowa. While continuing his education, he worked for the railroad and at his brother-in-law's service station. While still in school, he married Carol Berst on September 10, 1960. Bill began his teaching career at Tri-Center High School in Neola, Iowa where he also started the wrestling program. During that time, daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Daniel, were born. In 1964, Bill began teaching Physical Education in the Chariton Community School District and also coached 9th grade football, varsity wrestling and the school's first girls' track team. Upon completion of his Master's degree he assumed the position of junior high guidance counselor. He retired from teaching in 2000. Bill was very community-minded. He served on the City Council from 1972-1999, thirteen of those years as mayor. Following retirement, he immersed himself in volunteer activities, including the Inter-Church Ministry Center, Lucas County Historical Society, Lucas County Arts Council, Tourism Lucas County, S.A.F.E. Committee, SPLASH (a youth community service group sponsored by the DEKKO Foundation) and the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund. He was also a very involved member of the First United Methodist Church. He participated in choir, was a confirmation mentor and worked on many boards and committees, including the handicap-accessibility project. Bill's volunteerism did not go unnoticed. In 2003, the Chariton Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Citizen of the Year award. He was given the President's Call to Service Award in 2008. This particular honor is awarded to those who have given over 4000 hours in volunteer service. In 2009, he was Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair, an award given to Iowa citizens who make significant contributions to their communities while demonstrating qualities associated with Iowa - integrity, dependability, sense of community and a strong work ethic. Bill had a multitude of interests. He liked history, reading, crossword puzzles and tinkering in his garage. He loved the outdoors and spent some time working on prairie restoration and tree farming. Family and friends were extremely important to him. Wonderful memories were made from the various backpacking trips he took with family members and co-workers. A 3-day trail-riding trip with his daughter allowed him to indulge in his love of horseback riding. He took great pride in his grandchildren; he and Carol often made long-distance trips to attend their various activities. Bill's religious faith was deeply important to him. Not only did it give him strength in times of need, but it also was a template for the way he lived his life. Bill always had time for people, no matter their age, who may need a gesture of friendship, a word of encouragement, or just someone to listen. In his generosity of time and willing, cheerful spirit he did not expect or want recognition. Bill's reward was his personal enjoyment and satisfaction in accomplishing what needed to be done, making things better and giving a helping hand to someone who needed one. In later years, many of his former students would tell him what a positive impact he had on their lives. Bill would never had said it himself, but the world was a better place with him in it. Bill is survived by his wife, Carol of Chariton; daughter, Beth (Randy) Yeates of Iowa City, IA; son, Dan (Doris) of Crowley TX; grandchildren: Sam Yeates of Logan, UT, Jacob Yeates of Minneapolis, MN, Matt, Kyle, and Samantha Marner of Crowley, TX; sisters, Marilyn (Richard) Emmert of Wilmington, DE and Carolyn Kacena of Burlington, IA; brother, Gene Marner of Cape Girardeau, MO; brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, John Berst; brother-in-law, Jim Kacena; and sister-in-law, Bernice Marner. Please make any memorial contributions in Bill's honor to the First United Methodist Church in Chariton, Iowa or to the Lucas County Historical Society in Chariton, Iowa. Visitation

OCT 31. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)

First United Methodist Church

923 Roland Avenue

Chariton, IA 50049

Service

OCT 31. 2:00 PM (CDT)

First United Methodist Church

923 Roland Avenue

Chariton, IA 50049

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