Delmar Wade “Jack” Marzke, age 83, formerly of Rockdale Township, Cambridge Springs, PA died Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie following a short illness. He had been a resident at Golden Living Center in Cambridge Springs since 2000 and previously had lived most of his life on Mackey Hill in Rockdale Township. He was born on April 5, 1925 in Rockdale Township, Crawford County, a son of the late Will Marzke and Florence Jones Marzke. He married the former Patricia Packer and they owned a farm on Mackey Hill.
Marzke, Delmar Wade Del was known as the best marimba player in Northwest Pa. and in his younger years played in professional bands in Erie, Buffalo, and Cleveland. He continued to play his marimba at churches and social functions in later years and played weekly at Beverly Healthcare (presently Golden Living Center) for the residents.
He graduated with honors from Cambridge Springs High School and from Alliance College in Cambridge Springs. During his working career he was employed as a chemical engineer in quality control at General Electric in Erie where he received several suggestion awards. He retired in 1969. Del was a member of Cambridge Springs United Methodist Church, Covenant Masonic Lodge #473 in Cambridge Springs, and the Zem Zem Shrine, Erie Consistory.
Surviving him are two sons – Lee Howard Marzke of Philadelphia and Les Gene Marzke and his wife, Joni Lynn Piercy Marzke of Orlando, FL; a granddaughter – Jennifer Piercy of Debary, FL; and a brother – Gene Marzke and his wife, Betty of Meadville. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Salow.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Wednesday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Stephanie Gottschalk, pastor of Cambridge Springs First United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Mill Village Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Golden Living Center, 110 Canfield Street, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.