March 10, 1923 — Dec. 19, 2015

Clayton Thomas “Tom” Marsh, 92, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Saturday morning, Dec. 19, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, in Eskanazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana

He was born March 10, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Winnifred (Hoston) Marsh. He married Eula “Betty” Franklin. She preceded him in death in 2006. He was also preceded by his parents; three daughters, Luanna Bell, Sharon Ivens, Toni Taylor; one sister, Charlene Manier; three brothers, Warren Manier, Johnny Manier, and Alto Taylor.

Tom moved to Cassopolis in the mid-1930s. He grew up with eight step-brothers and sisters. He played basketball and baseball for Cassopolis High School graduating in 1944. After serving in the Army during WWII, Tom married his late wife and had five daughters. He farmed in the fifties and sixties. He retired from full time employment as a carpenter in 1989, then was self-employed in lawn care and maintenance until 2009.

Tom was very active in his church and the campgrounds doing maintenance and helping out. He was also very active in PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) in St. Joseph, Michigan. Tom loved music and traveling.

Tom will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by two daughters, Linda Foulks of Indiana and Saundra Henderson of California; nine grandchildren, Gordon Ivens, Cynthia Bell, Kevin Foulks, Percy (wife, Kim) Bell, Wade (wife, Regina) Foulks, Tenisha Williams, Ashley Bell, all of Indiana, Sharon (husband, Cornelius) Hines of California, Calvin Henderson of Florida; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Blakeney, Donna Manier, both of Washington; two brothers, Linton (wife, Barbara) Manier of California, Norris (wife, Sharon) Manier of Washington; brother in law, William Franklin of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and other family.

Family and friends will gather on his birthday, Thursday, March 10, 2016, for a Graveside Service in Bethel Cemetery in Calvin Center, when Mr. Marsh will be accorded Military Honors.

The family prefers contributions be made in Tom’s memory to Calvin Center Seventh Day Adventist Church, 19088 Brownsville Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.