Marshall Chovan

Marshall Chovan

WIND POINT - Marshall Paul Chovan, age 81, of Racine, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026 in Racine. He was the son of Walter and Josephine (nee: Garbo) Chovan born in Racine and grew up along the Root River on Green Bay Road, where he formed lifelong ties to the community he always called home.

Marshall attended Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and Racine Technical Institute, after an apprenticeship, he went on to work for Twin Disc for 32 years. Known for his dedication and reliability, he built a career marked by loyalty and hard work.

On June 26, 1965, Marshall married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Bellaire, beginning a marriage that spanned six decades. Together they raised two children, Steven Paul Chovan and Christine Carrie Chovan. Steven married Patti Yogerst, and they are the proud parents of Jack and Sara, whom Marshall adored.

Marshall was especially close with his Aunt Mary, who remained a constant and caring presence in his life and provided invaluable help following his hip injury two years ago.

Affectionately known as "Chicks," Marshall had an unmistakable love for cars and owned more than 50 throughout his lifetime. He brought home vehicles the way some people bring home stray dogs - because they spoke to him and needed a place to land. His collection ranged from an Alfa Romeo to Corvettes, Camaros, dune buggies, and conversion vans to pickup trucks and station wagons. There was no limit to what intrigued him or why he bought a car. One of his most memorable vehicles was a truck proudly bearing "Sanford & Son" on the side, a perfect reflection of his humor and personality.

Marshall shared his adventurous spirit with his family through years of travel and camping. From motorcycle trips with friends around the Great Lakes and heading south, to ski trips out West, and spending winters towing his trailer to Alabama, he created a lifetime of memories rooted in curiosity, freedom, and togetherness.

Marshall will be remembered for his devotion to family, his love of the open road, his storytelling, and a life lived fully and unapologetically. Those who knew him best will forever hear his voice and wisdom in one of his favorite sayings - delivered with a grin and a lesson learned the hard way: "When you're dumb, you gotta pay."

A funeral service for Marshall will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Purath-Strand Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be held in Bohemian National Cemetery, Caledonia. In lieu of flowers, memorials to https://www.parkinson.org/ have been suggested.

Purath-Strand

Funeral Home & Crematory

3915 Douglas Avenue

Racine, WI 53402

(262) 639-8000

www.purathstrand.com