M. Marlene Anderson

Mary “Marlene” Anderson, age 79, of Brightwood, died Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in Union Hospital at Dover following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late Robert and Mary (Comanita) Wright, Marlene was born in her family’s New Philadelphia home on June 27, 1936.

She was a graduate of New Philadelphia High School and married her high school sweetheart, Richard Anderson on January 22, 1956 in Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. Together the couple raised two daughters, Debbie and Karen, and shared in 54 years of marriage prior to his passing on May 14, 2010.

For 37 years, Marlene and Richard owned and operated Anderson Electric. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, being with her family, and being a member of Shanesville Lutheran Church at Sugarcreek.

Marlene will be missed by her daughters, Debbie (Tom) Brown of Sugarcreek, and Karen Vance of Dover; her grandchildren, Stephanie (David) Hykes of New Philadelphia, Matthew Vance of Dover, Amy (Tim) Gerber of New Philadelphia and Jennifer (David) Yoder of Sugarcreek; her great-grandchildren, Madison and Jordyn Vance, Cory, Kayla, Kaitlyn and Clay Gerber, and Kyle and Claire Yoder; a sister, Helen (Bud) Lahmers of Dover; a sister-in-law, Cynthia Kester of Solon and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Marlene was preceded in death by great-grandchildren, Logan Broome and Bristol Hykes.

The family will greet guests on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 6-8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Marlene’s life will be led by Rev. Ellen Mills in the funeral home’s chapel on Saturday at 10 AM. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park.

Memorial contributions in Marlene’s name may be directed to Shanesville Lutheran Church, PO BOX 478, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681.