Charles Russel Marion

June 19, 1932-January 5, 2012

Charles Marion, age 79, of Hilmar, CA, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2012 at his home in Hilmar. Charles was born the son of Clarence L. Mason, a steel mill worker, and Clara E. Barnett (Foster) a dietician in Portsmouth, OH on June 19, 1932.

Charles spent his childhood known by the nickname “Doc” in the depression era steel mill town of Portsmouth, OH on the edge of the Ohio River.

After high school at the age of 17, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1949-1952. He served as a rifleman in the 25th Infantry Division, 35th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He received the Purple Heart for a wound incurred during the conflict.

In 1953 Charles re-entered our country’s military enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force career included the motor pool, jet engine maintenance, and production control at bases in Maine, Greenland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Louisiana, Thailand, and California. He honorably retired from military service in 1971 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After his military career, Charles worked 21 years in public service for the state of California, as a maintenance worker and maintenance supervisor at both the Merced and Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. In his retirement, Charles continued to remain active as a consultant for the San Benito County Fairgrounds.

In his retirement years Charles enjoyed many activities including hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling. He enjoyed a lifelong passion for cooking. Charles will be remembered by family and friends, as he was in life as Charlie.

He was a member of the Turlock, CA VFW Post and attended the First Baptist Church in Hilmar.

Charles married twice in his lifetime, Mary Jane (Millward) wife of 35 years in 1952. His second wife Elizabeth Louise (Correia) preceded him in death. He spent the last 8 years with his domestic companion Bernice Burch in Hilmar.

Charles was survived by his sons, William E. Marion (Barbara) of Escalon and Joe Indio (Barbara) of Winton; daughters, Peggy J. Sousa (Jerry) of Gustine; grandson, Robert Chavez (Vicki) of Modesto; great granddaughters, Sabrina and Liliana Chavez; ½ brother, James A. Mason of Wheelersburg, OH; ½ sisters, Etta L. Salyer (Howard)of Portsmouth, OH; Lois Malone (Charles) of Hilliard, OH; Caroline Wright (Ezra) of Minford, OH; Brenda Mason of Springfield, OH; and Marcia Ingerslev (Don) of Seattle, WA.

Charles is preceded in death by his son, Clarence Russel Marion; ½ brothers, Ronnie Marion and Clarence (Bud) Mason; and ½ sister, Patty Jo Evans.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 3:00P.M.-7:00P.M. and services will be on Friday, January 13, 2011 at 11:00P.M. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. A catered reception will follow for family and friends at the Merced County Fairgrounds.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.