Marlena "Kay" Houglan

Marlena "Kay" Houglan, age 71, of Springfield Township, OH passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Born Marlena Kay Martin on November 8, 1953 in Richwood, WV to Lonnie E. and Betty C. (Knight) Martin. 

A 1972 graduate of the Cosmetology Program at Lawrence County Vocational-Technical High School, she was a licensed Hairdresser in PA for several years prior to her move to Ohio and the Akron area. Kay loved her kids and grandkids. One of her favorite things was having water gun battles with them while at their favorite campground; most of which she instigated. 

Kay was a member of Fraternal Order of Police, Akron Auxiliary #1, where she served as President, Secretary and Sargent-at-Arms during her 20+ years of membership. She also served as an officer for the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio State Auxiliary. Kay was an avid supporter of the Ohio Special Olympics; participating in their annual Polar Bear Plunge for 10 consecutive years and served on the Board of Directors for the National Super Kids Classic; a soap box derby race for special needs children. 

Kay was preceded in death in death by a brother, Ray Martin in 1978; father, Lonnie Martin in 1998; mother, Betty (Knight) Martin in 2009; brother, Dan Martin in 2017; and her loving husband of (almost) 24 years, Harry Robert "Hougie" Houglan in 2019. 

Kay is survived by her children, Terri (Brian) Houglan-Hamilton of Coventry Township, OH and Eric (Catrina) Fitzgerald of Butler, PA; grandsons, Brandon (Harley Miller) Diehl of New Philadelphia, OH, Logan (Molly) Wheeler of Medina, OH, Logan Ballew and Declan Fitzgerald of Butler, PA; granddaughters, Madison (Noah Delo) Fitzgerald, Kyra (Trent Welsh) Hemsky of Wampum, PA, Natalie Ballew and Allie Fitzgerald of Butler, PA; great-grandson, Aiden Diehl of New Philadelphia, OH; great-granddaughter, Kinsley Welsh of Wampum, PA; brother, Mark Martin of Slippery Rock, PA; sisters, Angela (Lamont) Martin-Smith of Rocky Face, GA, and Crystal Martin of Mercer, PA; daughter-in-law of her heart, Bylon (Joe) Hemsky of Wampum, PA; many nieces and nephews, and an ‘adopted family’ of wonderful camping friends; fondly referred to as ‘Vagaseville’ and Uncle Forrest. 

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Newcomer Funeral Home. A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025 also at Newcomer Funeral Home, with Fraternal Order of Police, Akron Auxiliary #1 Chaplin; Mike Conley, officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Akron FOP Auxiliary #1, 2610 Ley Drive, Akron, OH 44319, National Super Kids, Inc., PO Box 7372, Akron, OH 44306, or Cleveland Clinic Hospice Foundation, PO Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193.