Everett (Gampy) R. Marsh

Everett R. (Gampy) Marsh, 94, of Fertigs (Pinegrove Township) passed away, surrounded by his daughters, at 8:30 p.m. on September 1, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Clarion, where he had resided for the past three and a half years.

Everett was born on December 4, 1921 at Coal Hill, a son of Fred B. and Grace Blauser Marsh.

He attended the one room Gilson School through the 8^th grade and graduated from Oil City High School in 1939. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He was stationed in England for 5 months before the Normandy Invasion into France and went from the Omaha Landing across France, Belgium and Germany with the 857^th Chemical Company attached to the U.S. 9^th Army. He often remarked the best birthday present ever was walking down the gang plank back onto U.S. soil on his 24^th birthday. He maintained a life-long friendship with two of his Army buddies until their passing a few years ago.

He worked for his father in the family lumber business, skidding logs with a team of horses, both prior to and following his Army service.

He married Wilma J. Burns on January 26, 1946 and they celebrated 52 years of marriage prior to her passing in December of 1998.

Everett and his wife purchased a farm near Fertigs in 1947 and he produced milk for Mong Dairy until 1978, and later raised Hereford beef cattle until he retired in 1991. He loved the land and farming and took great pride in raising crops and cattle.

He was an outdoor person until his health declined, and enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing and greatly enjoyed taking his young grandchildren trout fishing. He later loved to fish the nearby lakes with family and friends. He was a great fan of the local bluegrass music festivals, and enjoyed many years of friendships and playing 500 at the Seneca Senior Citizens Center. He was a long-time supporter of the area’s agriculture and the local 4-H clubs. and was a member of several farm and outdoor organizations. He especially loved celebrating birthday, holidays, and other special events in his family’s life.

He is survived by his three loving daughters: Suzanne M. Daum and husband Fred of Tionesta, Donna E. Hart and husband, Bill of Fertigs, and Jane R. Whitling and husband, Dave of Venus.

Gampy is also survived by six grandchildren: David Daum (Sue) of North Huntingdon, Daniel Daum (Colleen) of Erie, William Hart, Jr. (Kelly) of Cranberry, Sherry Bechtold (Chuck) of Erie, Jennifer Hallock (Bill) of Wattsburg, and Rob O’Neil (Theresa) of Wattsburg.

He is survived also by 16 great grandchildren: Jacob, Ben and Eli Daum, Rachel and Ryan Daum, Blake and Brooke Hart, Corinne, Megan and Ethan Bechtold, Julia Young, Austin, Renee and Lauren Hallock, and Kyle and Abbie O’Neil. Surviving also are his brother, Frederick Marsh (Lois) of Carmichael, California and sister-in-law, Norma Burns of Venus.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Everett was preceded in death by brothers Austin, Floyd, Gerald, and Donald and a sister, Doris Schreffler; and great grandson, Nicholas Daum.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Faller Funeral Home in Fryburg. Services will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. by Pastor John Wood of Faith Lutheran Church of Venus. Interment will be in the Venus Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to the staff at Golden Living Center, Clarion for their kind and watchful care during his stay there, especially to the staff members who went above and beyond; and to the Clarion VNA Hospice who helped to care for, and comfort, Everett in his last month.

Memorial contributions n Everett’s name may be made to the Clarion Visiting Nurses and Hospice or to the Venango or Clarion County 4-H Fair organizations.

Please visit www.fallerfuneralhome.com to share your memories and photos and offer your condolences.

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