Marlene Kay (Perkins) Eagle, 80, received her special calling to join the Lord late Tuesday evening on June 23rd, 2020.
She earned her wings in Denver, Colorado but Marlene began her life in Stryker, Ohio August 6, 1939, the daughter of the late Theron R. and Berneta (Smith) Perkins. She was the oldest of three children and spent most of her younger years growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Stryker High School and began her journey into the work force.
Her early work career started in Bryan, Ohio at the Spangler Candy Company and eventually moved on to being a sales clerk at Keens Drug Store as well as Hawks Clothing Store. During this time Marlene marries. It is from this marriage she is blessed with two sons.
Marlene was a strong independent women who enjoyed working at the Bryan Airport as well as the Dayton Airport. She would eventually move and work as the Assistant Parts Manager at the Turnpike Travelers Chrysler and Plymouth in Wauseon, Ohio. In time Marlene would travel to Ft Wayne, Indiana and became the Parts Manager at Poinsett’s Chrysler, Imperial and Plymouth.
During this phase of her life Marlene finds love once again with the love of her life, Ted Donovan Eagle. They had a wonderful courtship and on June 8th, 1974 they took their wedding vows and began a beautiful loving marriage of 30 years.
The couple would relocate to Indianapolis, Indiana where Marlene would work for Palmer Dodge, while Ted completed his College education.
New jobs would in time bring her back to Bryan, where she would work the weekends as a Hair Stylist with her Sister and many friends at Woodstock West. She also worked at the Bryan Hospital in the billing department. She would at this time in her life, celebrate the birth of her third son.
Her last place of employment would take her to the Williams County Social Services Office where she dedicated her time in helping people with job placements and community services. She decides to retire after spending many years working for Williams County.
Marlene kept herself actively engaged doing many creative hobbies. She would often knit and make beautiful “Prayer Shawls” for the Community. She would also make amazing cross stich pictures and sew cute dresses for her granddaughters. When she wasn’t knitting, cross stitching or sewing, she was reading. She loved to snuggle up to a book and read to her grandchildren rather than watch a movie. She did a lot to keep herself busy but her true passion in life was singing.
She was a part of the Ft Wayne Follies as well as being a long time member of the Sweet Adelines. Marlene enjoyed competing in the many Sweet Adelines International Competitions.
She was also active in the barber shop quartet called “The Four Town Sound”, however her voice was most powerful when she was singing praises to the Lord in the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir in Bryan. Marlene was an active parishioner at her Church beside singing in the choir and being a Sunday School Teacher, she would also fill in for other notable position when needed. She was a devoted Christian and her faith in God was strong. She had made peace with God and herself and would often tell us not to be sad when her time comes, because she was happy and ready to go home and be with her Lord Jesus!
Yes, she was a “One of a Kind” lady. Her laughter was contagious and could definitely fill a room. She was a loving wife; Mother; Grandma; Great Grandma; Daughter; Sister; Aunt and Friend.
A lot of people that knew Marlene, knew she had a firm hand and believed in working hard to earn your keep in the World, but at the same time she had a gentler side, who was there to listen and lend a helping hand whenever she could. Marlene was the backbone of her family and her absents will leave an empty space forever in our family circle.
Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Dane Miller of Lavonia, Georgia; Tim (Connie) Miller of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Shawn (Kristen) Eagle of Denver, Colorado. Six Grandchildren; Sheena Sparkman; Katrina Miller; Clint (Sarah) Miller; Gabrielle Miller; Shelby Miller and Makenna Miller.
Five Great Grandchildren, Lucas Parker; Niko Sparkman; Hunter Sparkman; Elizabeth Larcom and Grayson Miller. She is also survived by her Sister-In-Law Mariel Perkins of Bryan and a host of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Ted Eagle; both parents and step Mother Marguerite (Healy) Perkins; Nephew Michael Perkins; Great Grand Nephew Emersyn Coleman; her Sister Georgia (Perkins) Peters and her brother Edwin K. Perkins.
Due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions, the family will receive friends while observing social distancing precautions. The family requests visitors to use masks to prevent spreading the virus. Anyone showing any symptoms of infection are asked to please share their condolences by a phone call, email, text message or leaving a condolence at the funeral home website.
The family is planning to honor Marlene to the fullest with a celebration of life gathering on Monday, July 13, from 4-7pm at the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio.
A memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 14th at 10am at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Center Street, Bryan, Ohio with the internment immediately following at the Fountain Grove Cemetery.
Memorial Donations may be made in honor of Marlene Eagle to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Condolences may be offered to the family at krillfuneralservice.com
The Heavenly Gates have opened, Rest Peacefully Mom!