Marland L. Berdick

Marland was born April 4, 1932, in Batavia, New York, to Clarence Berdick and Louise Emma Eggert Berdick. Marland grew up in Buffalo, NY, where he became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Bennett High School in 1949.

Marland then received a scholarship from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and graduated in 1953 with a B.A. degree in history. He received Phi Beta Kappa pin during his junior year. Marland then attended OCS in Newport, RH, and served active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1956. After receiving his commission, he served on the USS Baltimore in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He spent 20 years in the Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander. Following his service in the Navy, Marland received his MBA from the University of Michigan and began his career as an accountant with Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH. He worked for several other companies in the Chicagoland area and retired from the Illinois State Scholarship Commission in 1995.

He met the love of his life, Ruth, at the Officers Club at the Glenview Naval Air Station. After a whirlwind and long-distance courtship, they were married on October 15, 1955. They were just days away from celebrating their 68th anniversary at the time of Marland’s death. Marland and Ruth spent 7 years in Cincinnati, OH, where their three children were born. They moved to Glenview, IL in 1966.

Marland loved music; he played piano and accordion by ear. He sang in his church choir and with the Goldennaires of the North Shore Senior Center. He loved performing, spending over 20 years performing in community theatre all over the North Shore area. Some of his most favorite roles include Ben Franklin in 1776, Ali Ben Ali in The Desert Song, Curly in Oklahoma!, and Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady. Marland also loved to travel. His time in the Navy took him all over the world, and he and Ruth traveled extensively together as well. Marland loved his Buffalo Bills, the Buffalo Sabres, reading, studying history, marching bands, and playing bridge.

Marland was first and foremost a family man. As an only child, he was close to his parents who moved to Cincinnati and then to Glenview to be with Marland. Marland was happiest when entertaining family and friends with his singing and piano and accordion playing. Christmas was always a special time for him.

Marland is survived by his wife, Ruth of the home; daughter Barbara (Tom) Holland of Lawrence, KS, daughter Marilyn Berdick of Palatine, IL, son Brent (Elizabeth) Berdick of Wheaton, IL; grandchildren Thomas (Courtney) Holland, Derek (Phoebe) Holland, Brandon Holland (Marisa Garcia), Louisa Holland, Caleb, Eleah, Aniah, and Lucie Berdick; great-grandchildren Owen, Penelope, Everett, Amara, Nora; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. David's Episcopal Church, 2410 Glenview Road, Glenview, Illinois 60025, Wheaton Montessori School, 1980 North Gary Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 or Bennett Alumni Endowment Fund, Bennett Alumni Association, Inc., 2885 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OehlerFuneralHome.com for the Berdick family.