David Steele Marshall

Indianapolis - David Steele Marshall, passed away at the Indiana University Medical Center on September 5, 2023 following an illness. He was born on June 14th (Flag Day) 1958 to Ken and Elise Marshall in Indianapolis, with older sisters Holly (then 5) and Heidi (then 3). According to family lore, Elise wanted to name the only son, Jonathan, like the apple trees in the family’s backyard. It was said that Holly and Heidi demanded their little brother be named David ….. and David it became.

He is survived by his loving wife Jennifer (Hay) Marshall, sister Holly Crane (Gary),Heidi Schutt (Bryon), niece Erin Steward (Joey), and their children Max and Olivia, his in-laws of Ohio, sister-in-law Cherie Crawford, her son Adam, sister-in-law Jackie Dillinger (Farley), and her children Hannah Reid, Josh Laubenthal, Emily Laubenthal, and Brace Dillinger.

He was predeceased by his loving parents, Ken and Elise Marshall, his maternal grandparents, Fritz and Elsie Stefan, his mother-in law Shelvy Crawford (Ohio), and father-in-law Jerry Hay (Tennessee).

David grew up in a loving home on the far southside of Indianapolis. His maternal grandparents ( his Opa and Oma) the Stefans, had immigrated to this country right after WW I. They lived less than 2 miles from the Marshall home and were a strong and constant presence in the Marshall kid’s lives. David grew up around a strong German heritage ….. and yes, when David was a small boy, he delighted the “old country” Germans on the southside, at gatherings such as at the German Park, wearing his little leather lederhosen and hat. He was a cute kid dressed in this, but truth be told, hated his lederhosen!

He also grew up in a musical household, given his mother Elise’s profession as a choral conductor. When he and his sisters were each born, they were lovingly referred to by Elise, as Opus 1, Opus 2, with David being Opus 3. David played French Horn for many years in school, and practiced sitting at mom’s baby grand Steinway piano. (He left many puddles of dripped water on mom’s hardwood floor at that piano bench, for which Elise took him to task!)

David’s knowledge of classical music, especially from the Baroque and Romantic eras, was unparalleled. He had a very sophisticated knowledge and appreciation of classical music, but he was just as knowledgeable and appreciative of classic rock and roll.

David appreciated fine art, and thought compelling literature. His love of contemporary art, and literature, was part of what attracted David to Jennifer, his wife. Jennifer, an artist in her own right, had studied at art schools as to the contemporary master’s. They met in Ohio where David had remained following law school, living in Cleveland (Cleveburg as David called it). They connected on an intellectual level, having deep and serious discussions as to literature, politics, etc. But they could also make each other laugh. David and Jennifer moved to Indianapolis in March 2003, to be close to David’s mother Elise. Ken had passed away in 2001. They moved into a house directly in front of the house Heidi and Bryon live in. David and Heidi lived next to each other for over 20 years. Even though he annoyed the heck out of Heidi and Bryon at times during those 20 years, Heidi and Bryon are glad they had this time with David.

David graduated from Southport High School, obtained his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington, and finished law school from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland Ohio. He did practice law for a time in Ohio and later in life got into sales management. His last employment was as an instructor in Perry Township at the 6th Grade Academy. He was a dedicated instructor and devoted to his colleagues and his students. While attending Indiana University, David was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and a past president of the Phi Delts on the Bloomington Campus. He was a regular cycling participant during those years, in the Little 500 in Bloomington.

David made lasting friendships throughout his life, remaining in touch with high school, college, and law school friends.

David loved the Cleveland Browns, He was also fond of fishing days with his father Ken, and the Klatte men, as a child and throughout his adulthood.

He had a deep love for animals. His current 4 legged fur kids, Gilgamesh and Tilly (from the Strauss orchestral work entitled Till Enlenspeigel, or the medieval German trickster) truly miss their “daadee” ….. of course David thought of these names for their dogs. Jen never had a chance to name any of them.

David had a great sense of humor with a winning smile. He was a prankster, such as placing an 18 inch in height, black plastic snarling rat outside Heidi and Bryon’s front picture window at their house. Or the time he changed the old answering machine message on Holly and Gary’s home phone, sounding like Dudley Do Right or the oompa loompas from Willie Wonka. But his sister got him good, decades ago when David was around 6 and Jim Klatte around 5. David was going on a summer vacation with the Klatte family to Texas. Heidi convinced David and Jim they had to receive vaccinations in their right hips against boll weevils, before they could go to Texas. For 2 weeks, both little boys, were hitting themselves on their right hips, to toughen up the spot where the boll weevil shot would be given. Jim's father, Albert Klatte took pity on the boys after 2 weeks, and told them it was a hoax. David for years, got his sister back.

Dave Marshall was bright, articulate, well read, well spoken, knowledgeable, some of the many adjectives which describe David. He loved all his family, the Marshalls in Indianapolis, and the Ohio in-laws. He truly enjoyed the different family gatherings on both sides through the years and was devoted to family.

The family is having a Celebration of David’s life on November 12, 2023 at 4P.M., Friedens United Church of Christ, 8300 S. Meridian Street. Please come and share your memories and stories you have about David Marshall. The family would love to hear your words. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Southside Animal Shelter. We want to remember David with much love, and humor.

When David and his sisters were very young, the entire Marshall family sang “The Orchestra Song”, with each of us singing as a designated instrument. David, the horn, is now in heaven singing with Elise the fiddle, and Ken, the drums. Rest in peace husband, and little brother.

Mom ….. the little turtle statue which sat on the bookcase in the family room, which David always turned upside down as a signal to his parents he had stopped in their house while at College or otherwise, the statue is upside down now, and with you and dad.

Dave, we love you.

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