Obituaries

John (Dave) “Stache” Marion, age 74, a Keokuk, Iowa native, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore, Pennsylvania, after an illness. His loving wife and soulmate, Darla (Wood) Marion, was right by his side and Dave would have it no other way.
Married on May 19, 2001, the couple would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on May 19th.
Born on May 29, 1946, born in South Bend, Indiana, Dave was the son of the late John and Jane (Norman) Marion. He was raised in Keokuk where he excelled in sports, especially baseball. He later played baseball for Grinnell College, serving as team captain, before earning his Bachelors in Education from the University of Iowa.
After college, he eventually returned to his high school alma mater where he served as an english teacher for 17 years. After teaching, he ultimately worked as an editor and proofreader but his true passion eventually came in the form of the arts. After moving to Cincinnati while Darla was studying at the University, Dave began a two-man tandem acting as Mark Twain. His show became a success, having performed everywhere from the Metropolitan Club in Covington, Kentucky, to Tall Stacks, the site of Cincinnati’s riverboat heritage festival.
Throughout his travels, he lived everywhere from Fresno, Ca., to St. James, Mo., to Salt Lake City, Ut. to Bentonville, Ar., before recently settling in Old Forge. Along the journey due to his personality and engaging persona he touched the lives of countless. From playing racquetball with Darla to golfing, he loved both playing and following sports. A loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, he also loved his St. Louis Cardinals.
Well-read and truly brilliant, Dave was an amazing conversationalist. He also adored his pups, especially his “Eliza.” Taken too soon, he’ll forever be loved and never be forgotten.
Along with Darla, he is survived by his two brothers, Thomas Marion and wife Debbie and Ben Marion and wife Sharon Neff; adoring father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Waverly Wood, sister-in-law, Denise Rairden and husband Paul, brother-in-law, Darrin Wood, and many nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Private arrangements are under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street in Old Forge.