Marlyn, 92, died in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on December 12, 2016. He was born in Havelock, Iowa, on August 5, 1924. The family moved to Pennsylvania where Marlyn attended high school.

He registered for the draft at age 18 in December 1942. As a member of the Mennonite Church he served his country through the Civilian Public Service program during WWII. During this time, he jumped from Missoula during the 1944-45 fire seasons. Following his service, he returned to Cochranton, Pennsylvania area where he lived the remainder of his life.