Marlowe W. Wilhelm

Marlowe Wilfred Wilhelm, 82, of Centerville, died Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Meadville Medical Center.  Many say Marlowe had more than 9-lives by surviving a major tractor accident, making it through major heart surgery, being a 9-year kidney transplant survivor and surviving many other incidents throughout his life.

He was born April 21, 1928 in Ravenna, OH, a son of Ervia and Beulah Stutzman Wilhelm.  He married Betty Mae Wellman June 18, 1949 at Little Cooley United Methodist Church.

Marlowe was a 1946 graduate of Bloomfield High School, was a self-employed dairy farmer for 50 years and worked at Ballog's Potato Farm for a time during potato season.  He was a former 18-year Athens Township Supervisor, board member of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Holstein Club, Erie Cooperative Extension, and Townville and Maplewood School District.  He was a sales representative for both the Hoffman Seed Company and McNess and he formerly enjoyed hunting, fishing and getting around in his motorized Rascal.

Marlowe was a member of Little Cooley United Methodist Church and was a former administrative board member and trustee.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Betty of 61 years, include a son, Wilfred Wilhelm and his wife Marlena of Centerville; 4 daughters, Martha Johns and her husband Larry of Gettysburg, Wanda Proper and her husband Timothy of Townville, Jeanette Wilhelm of Centerville, who took loving care of Marlowe and Betty at their home, and Loretta McIver and her husband Mark of Chapmanville; 6 grandchildren, Trever Wilhelm and his wife Dana of Vancouver, WA, Tina Wetmore and her husband Russ of Townville, Sabrina Wangler and her husband Earl of Centerville, Stephanie Wilhelm of Centerville, and Jearetta Proper and T.J. Proper, both of Townville; and 6 great-grandchildren, Brian, Rien, Zachary, Jordan, Owen and Parker.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Steven Wilhelm and a sister, Carole Wilhelm and an infant sister.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 4  and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Little Cooley United Methodist Church, 32732 Teepleville Rd., Centerville.  The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Christine Rogan, Pastor officiating and assisted by the Rev. Robert Wellman.

Interment will be in Kingsley Cemetery, Townville.

Memorials may be made to Little Cooley United Methodist Church, 32732 Teepleville Rd., Centerville, PA 16404, Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335 or Active Aging, Inc., 1034 Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.