Edythe Marston

Edythe Josephine Marston, age 100 years, long-time Cass Street resident in Niles, Michigan died at 9:40 a.m. Sunday, December 2, 2012 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on February 6, 1912 in Marcellus, Michigan to Elmer and Opal (Thorpe) Brown. She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived on Cass Street in Niles most of her life. As a young lady, she was employed at the former Montgomery Ward & Company store in Niles; served as the company nurse to the former Tyler Refrigeration of Niles; and during World War II was employed by the bureau of weights and measures to ensure proper rationing and distribution. She was also a Blue Star Mother with a son serving in the United States Navy.

Josephine participated at the Niles Senior Center, especially enjoying the Bingo games. She tended a home greenhouse and garden, and as an artist, captured still-life and landscapes in oil, watercolor, and pastels. She also enjoyed traveling, finding adventure in the journey; and her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother.

On March 3, 1930 in Niles she married Joseph F. Marston with whom she celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on January 20, 1981. She was also preceded in death by their son, Joseph Edward Marston and their daughters, Priscilla Ann Smith and Margaret Elaine Marston; a daughter-in-law, Diana (Mrs. Joseph) Marston; and Josephine’s brother, Richard Brown.

Surviving family includes a son and a daughter, David (& Marcia) Marston and Deborah S. (& Joseph) Shelton, both of Niles; grandchildren, Mike Marston, Julie (& Jeff) Herrmann, Rebecca (& Chad) Geister, Caralyn Shelton, Cathy Smith, David G. Smith, Jeff Smith, and James (& Paula) Marston; many great-grandchildren; and Josephine’s brother and sisters, Harry (& Irene) Brown, Frannie (& Jim) Shively, both of Three Rivers, Michigan, Kay Tobin of Texas, and a sister-in-law, Opal (Mrs. Richard) Brown of Three Rivers; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Edythe Josephine Marston will be at Noon on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Robert E. Jackson of the First Church of God in Niles officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Josephine may be made to Pet Refuge.

---