Marlin A. Stewart

Marlin Ashley Stewart, Sr. artist, rogue, and traveler broke up with the world on May 2, 2015. Marlin was born in Detroit on August 25, 1924 to John L. Stewart and Aoee (Osmond) Stewart. He majored in art at Cass Technical High School, never missing a day in four years. Marlin enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday, in the midst of World War II, and was deployed to France. His Silver Star commendation notes that after being wounded, he manned his machine gun from the exposed turret of an armored car for three more hours, under heavy fire, until the car was riddled with bullets. Asked later about the account, Marlin claimed he simply didn't notice he'd been shot. Marlin also received two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Marlin returned from the war and married his sweetheart, Mary Jane (ne Young), in 1947. She died in 1981, after the two had raised three children. After attending art school on the G.I. Bill, Marlin worked for McNamara Brothers Studios in Detroit for over 50 years. In this "Mad Men" era before the computerization of the graphic design industry, Marlin's precisely beautiful hand lettering was a prized talent. An award-winning member of the Grand Valley Artists Association, he was also known for his unique oil and acrylic portraits and his (often scandalous) personalized Christmas cards. Many a grandchild learned about life from "Papa" via crossword puzzle clues called out over the breakfast table, the fine art portraits of his "lady friends" that adorned the living room walls, and rapid-fire card games played late into the night. Marlin's other pastimes included hockey, baseball, golf, fishing, and travel. After retirement, he learned French, then took a combination wine tasting & watercolor landscape painting tour of southern France via bicycle. He continued to paint until the year he died, as well as enjoy the quiz show "Jeopardy!" with his children, email his grandchildren, look up trivia on his iPad, and drink scotch with whomever could take a joke. In addition to his wife Mary Jane, Marlin is predeceased by his daughter, Kathleen, and his two older siblings, Gwen and John, Jr. (Bud). Marlin is survived by his loving children, daughter Marlene (John) and son Marlin, Jr. (Susan). He is also survived by several grandchildren and one great-grandson. They are all better, wiser, and more fun people having known him.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236