Vernon Marshall

VERNON J. MARSHALL, 76 COLOMA, Wis. - Vernon J. Marshall, 76, of Coloma, formerly of Rockford, Ill., departed this earthly life at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 14, 2010, in St. Michael's Hospital, Stevens Point, surrounded by his loving family, after a long illness. Born Dec. 25, 1933, to James and Verina (Wentworth) Marshall in McHenry, Ill. Attended Rockford East High School, Class of 1952. Married the love of his life, Betty Colleen Hallstrom on Dec. 26, 1953. Employed by the Brearley Co., for 34 years before retiring in 1993. He then worked part-time for several years at Bob's Hardware. In late 2002 he and his wife retired to their summer home on Pleasant Lake in Coloma. He was an avid fan of NASCAR's Jeff Gordon and a lifelong fan of professional wrestling. As his health allowed he enjoyed standing at the rail on his front deck watching the lake. In recent years, he lived for visits from his family and especially from his grandchildren. Survived by wife, Betty Colleen; daughters, Kris (Greg) Gray and Nancy Marshall; son, Walter (fiancée, Susan Meyer) Marshall; grandchildren, Melissa (Mitch) Thomas, Sheryl Gray, Matthew Gray, Jason Marshall and Jarrod Marshall; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Kallin and Meadow Thomas, Brennan Folts and Callie Marshall; brother, James (Norma) Marshall; sister, Agnes (Richard) Leon; sister-in-law, Sonja Krivitskie; best friend, Louis Zimmerlee; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents, and sister, Jane Wrage. Memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, with visitation from 1:30 p.m. to time of service. Inurnment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Tributes to the family at sunsetfhmemgardens.com.