Rev. Jonathon Marsh

Rev. Jonathon Terry Marsh, 59, of Lexington died Saturday, January 17, 2004 at MedCentral Mansfield due to complications from surgery. Rev. Marsh was Senior Pastor of First Christian Church in Mansfield, Ohio. He was born September 1, 1944 in Warren, Ohio to John Abe and Margaret 'Queenie' Darby Marsh. He was a 1962 graduate of Lakeview High School in Cortland, Ohio. Rev. Marsh taught for eighteen years at Grand Valley High School in Orwell, Ohio where in 1975-1976 he was honored as UPI Co-Coach of the Year and AP Great Lakes Area Coach of the Year because of the great players. He had also been a registered track & field and basketball official. Terry had a love for Mount Union College, Phi Kappa Tau, where he had the privilege of playing baseball. He was involved with the Disciples where he served on the Executive Committee and Regional Board of Directors. His ecumenical involvement included Disciples Representative to the Ohio Council of Churches, Inter-Church Council of Mansfield, the Anti-Racism Task Force and served as District #6 Coordinator. He was a member of Peer One of the Pastor/Parish Peer Group through the Akron Area Association of Churches. Rev. Marsh's ministry began at Howland Community Church in Warren, Ohio as administrative assistant; at Central CC, Indianapolis; at Charlestown, Indiana CC and First Christian Uhrichsville, Ohio. He would have been ordained for ten years this May. He had earned his Master's of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Additional studies included Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. Terry loved to read, watch Brett play baseball and was looking forward to more golfing and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Linda L. Hoover Marsh; a son, Brett Marsh, at home; parents, John & Margaret Marsh of Cortland, Ohio;sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Terry McClellan of Niles, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Rene' Marsh of Cortland, Ohio; and nieces and nephews, Peggy Corbin, John Ace Palmer, Kim and John Marsh.

Friends may call Saturday from 11:00-1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Mansfield. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church conducted by Rev. Phil Smith. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church or in care of the family.

Terry has left this final message to you his friends: 'Lastly, I do not fully know what lies beyond the grave but go there in the love and mercy of Christ. Leaning toward process theology as I do, I sense it will be full unification with the God who lured me to the best aspects of the life I've lived and loved me when I fell short. For that understanding, I have been raised in Christ Jesus. And that is enough.'