Marlene Harbaugh

Marlene Ellen Myton Harbaugh age 82, of Girard, passed away on Sunday Morning, December 16, 2018 at her residence following a courageous fight from an extended illness. She was surrounded by her family who dearly loved her.

She was born in Erie on February 23, 1936 a daughter of Raymond and Dorothy Bens Myton. She was adopted as an infant by Raymond and Dorothy. They loved and adored her and all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were equally adored and cherished by them. God Bless our grandparents for their love and devotion to Mom and Us. We know Mom is in their arms now and finally at peace.

Marlene graduated from McDowell High School and LaSalle School of Interior Design in Chicago. She retired as a Librarian at Graham Road Elementary School in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Marlene loved teaching children and reading stories for hours to her own children and grandchildren too. Her love of books and illustrations will live on forever, being passed down by large collections of signed books by the authors dedicated to her grandchildren.

Marlene will always be remembered for her laughter and ability to use her sense of humor to help her family through the worst of times. Famously opinionated and short-tempered, at times, Marlene has handed these qualities down to her children and grandchildren She was a sharp-tongued character in her own right. As we process the gravity of her loss, much of our strength comes from her humor and her spirited laughter, that will live on forever. “Two extra stars are in the skies and we know they are our mother’s eyes”.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandfather Charles Bens and grandmother Bess Bens. She is survived by her husband Rev. Dr. Gary L. Harbaugh; three children, Colonel Cary C. Harbaugh and wife LTC(Ret.) Daniella DiCiccio Harbaugh of Tampa, Heidi K Aull and husband Frank Aull Jr. of Fort Mill, SC, and Lt Colonel (Ret) Joel J. Harbaugh and wife Heidi Harbaugh of Atlanta, GA; nine grandchildren; SFC Robert Harbaugh(Emily), Alexa Harbaugh, Jesse Harbaugh, and Mia Harbaugh, Megan Gattozzi, Mark Gattozzi, Melissa Emery (Adam), Heather Holbach, Matthew(Sadye) Holbach; six great grandchildren Hunter, Noah, Adalynn, Elliot, Charlotte and Declan; and a dear sister, Carol Verigan of Sacramento, CA.

Friends may call on Saturday, December 22nd at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 643 W. 17th St., Erie, 16502 from 1 pm until the time of service at 2 pm with Pastor Bill Coleman and Pastoral Assistant Ron King officiating. Burial to following Girard Cemetery.

Family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Research, C/O Cleveland Clinic-Taussig Cancer Center, 10201 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. East, Girard.
Send condolences to www.Burtonfuneralhome.com