Marlin Dean Good

Marlin Dean Good, age 59, of rural Richland Center, died suddenly, Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Richland Hospital. He was born on July 17, 1966, in Harrisonburg, VA, to Kenneth and Betty Sue (Emswiler) Good. Marlin was raised in rural Broadway, VA, where many fond memories of playing tackle football with his siblings and other neighborhood children, and hiking and biking up and down the hills and valleys, were made. Marlin graduated from Broadway High School and went to work for a neighboring farmer who taught him many skills that he used the rest of his life.

Marlin became a Christian in his youth and faithfully served His Lord and Savior until his death, always so thankful for all the Lord did for him and looking forward to moving to his Heavenly home someday.

In 1986, Marlin attended Maranatha Bible School in Lansing, MN. There he met his future wife, Edna Yoder, and they were married in her home community of Richland Center, WI, on August 7, 1987. The couple lived in Virginia for 17 months, then moved to rural Richland County, where they raised their family of six beloved children. Marlin was a devoted husband and father. He believed in working hard, and then playing hard when the work was finished. He taught his children to love the Lord, to honor and respect their parents and other authorities, to do a job well, and to enjoy the little things in life. He had a way of turning ordinary events into an adventure with his enthusiasm and great sense of humor. He did this first with his children and then with his grandchildren, who brought so much joy to his life. His big heart loved the young, the old, and everyone in between. He had a servant's heart and loved to help wherever he saw a need. He also made time for many weekend getaways with his wife throughout the years, making a host of treasured memories.

After moving to Wisconsin, he built batteries, worked for a number of farmers, and spent 20 years working at the Richland Center Foundry. When the foundry closed its doors, he took what he thought would be a temporary position doing janitorial work for the Richland School District. He learned to love the students and staff there, and ended up spending the rest of his life working for the district. He had so many great memories of his time spent at the Primary school, interacting with the students and staff, and more recently was enjoying learning the ropes in the district maintenance department. He considered every student and co-worker his friend and cared about them. He also worked after hours doing handyman work for a neighbor who also became a very good friend. For relaxation, Marlin would head to the woods with one of his Stihl chain saws, happy to cut firewood for his own use and for friends and family.

Marlin served as deacon of the Buck Creek Mennonite church from 2006 until his passing. The Buck Creek church family meant so much to him, and he embraced his calling, serving the people he loved, many times behind the scenes, which was what he preferred. One of his favorite duties as deacon was preparing the sacraments for Communion and participating in that service, reflecting on the significance of it. He also enjoyed leading the congregation in a number of children's songs every Sunday morning. His rolling bass harmony will be deeply missed in the congregational singing.

Marlin was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Sue (Emswiler) Good, and his father-in-law, Enos Yoder. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Edna, and their children, Natalie (Joel) Butikofer, of Richland Center, Ashlin (Roxi), Monticello, GA, Greg (Katrina), Sheldon, WI, Whitney, Alyssa, and Makayla, all of the home, his father, Kenneth Good, Newburg, PA, siblings Kervin (Erma) Good, Singers Glen, VA, Donna (Galen) Hostetler, Richland Center, WI, Pamela (Lamar) Garman, Newburg, PA, his beloved grandchildren Caleb, Elaina, Darien, Elizabeth, and Evan Butikofer, Felix and Rosie Kate Good, Grant, Ryan, and Darren Good, the many nieces and nephews on both the Good and Yoder sides of the family whom he enjoyed immensely, his brothers-and sisters-in-laws in the Yoder family with whom he had so many good times and whom he counted among his best friends, and his aunts, uncles, and cousins who contributed so much to his life.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Richland Center High School Gym. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center. Also, an open viewing will be held on Saturday at RCHS from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. Burial will follow at the English Ridge Cemetery, Marshall Township, Richland County. www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com