Gene C. Marzke, age 94, resident of 882 Thurston Rd, Meadville, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Tacoma Park, MD. Born on August 30, 1917 on Henry Road, Cambridge Springs, he was a son of the late William and Florence Jones Marzke.

Marzka, Gene C.Mr. Marzke attended Rockdale School in Rockdale Township thru 11th grade and completed his senior year at Cambridge Springs High School graduating with the Class of 1935. In 1937, he graduated from Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, PA and in 1939 he graduated from Erie Commercial College in Erie, PA.

Gene married the former Betty P. McDuff on September 20, 1941 at the First Presbyterian Church of Cambridge Springs, PA and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2010. From 1942 until 1946, Gene served in the US Navy as a Chief Specialist of Systems. While in the service, he received a Navy Citation for Outstanding work in the designing of a new Payroll System for the entire Navy. He sure had a story about that!! Mr. Marzke retired in 1981 from Meadville?????s Talon Zipper Company (Textron) after 42 years of service as Manager of Data Processing. He enjoyed playing golf in the Talon Golf League.

Gene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Meadville for over 60 years and served there on the Board of Elders. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #219, Meadville; Masonic Lodge #234, Meadville; American Legion, John Stanley MacDuff Post #381, Cambridge Springs; and a past member of the Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Marzke had the honor of being one of the founding members of the Data Processing Management Association of Northwestern PA. He held the office of President in 1952 and served as its National Director from 1953 to 1955. In 1983, Gene was awarded the first Lifetime Membership in this Chapter. He also was a Red Coat volunteer at Meadville Medical Center for 19 years.

Since Mr. Marzke?????s retirement from Talon in 1981, he spent a great deal of time operating his 76 acre Herford farm in Rockdale Township which he purchased in 1964. He always had a big garden or two, mowed two large lawns, and canned the fruit harvested from his orchards. He very much enjoyed visiting with friends, attending a weekly luncheon at the Elk?????s, and visiting with his children. Many people remember Mr. Marzke for his wonderful story telling and the memories he could relate with a keen sense of humor.

Survivors include his four children ???? Diane Gibbs and her husband, Bruce of Olney, MD; Pat Hazel and her husband, Doug of Broad Run, VA; David Marzke and his wife, Linda of New Castle, PA; and Kim Marzke of Meadville, PA; his five grandchildren ???? Brian and Danielle Gibbs; Lindsey and Jeff Hazel; and Brandon Marzke; and his two nephews ???? Lee and Les Marzke. Preceding Gene in death in addition to his parents was his beloved wife ???? Betty P. McDuffie of 69 years whom he sadly missed; his sister ???? Evelyn (Happy) Salow; and a brother Delmar (Jack) Marzke.

Friends and relatives will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs, PA and are invited to attend funeral services there on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Dave Brumagin officiating. Interment will be in Millers Station Cemetery, Miller?????s Station, PA.