Thomas C. Marrs
| Thomas "Tom" Carlyle Marrs Birth December 7, 1941 South Whitley, Whitley County, Indiana
Death May 29, 2025 Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana Burial Booneville Cemetery Richland Township, Whitley
County, Indiana son of Barton Edwin Marrs and Hannah Belle Marrs< |
 |
Local businessman, entrepreneur, inventor and scientist, Tom Marrs, 83 of Rochester passed away unexpectedly
at 5:39 PM on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at his home.
On December 7, 1941, Thomas Carlyle Marrs was born in South Whitley to Barton E. and Hannah Belle Thomson Marrs.
Growing up in Whitley County he shared his childhood with a sister Janet and a brother Steve.
Tom graduated from Whitko High School with the class of 1959.
In pursuit to achieve his dream of becoming an electrical engineer he continued his formal education at Purdue
University. In 1963 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and a minor in
accounting. Boiler-up!
Arriving in the Rochester Community in 1974 Marrs founded Marshall Electric, a company of research and development
that specialized in diverse types of ignition coils. Marshall supplied these parts to Caterpillar, General Motors,
Ford, Mercury Marine and Harley-Davidson to name a few. Over the years Tom quietly invented several ignition coil
systems that he patented. Rochester has been the home to all of our most cutting-edge fabrications in the ignition
systems industry. Not only does it serve as our lab and testing area for prototype design, but it also provides a
hub for distribution within North America.
A humble man, Tom was a proud member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Last year Marshall Electric celebrated their 50-year anniversary as industry leaders.
An avid reader, Tom especially enjoyed books on science and military history. He greatly admired Benjamin Franklin
and his scientific knowledge. Tom enjoyed watching and feeding all domestic backyard birds. He was a life-long
fan of all Purdue sports teams and professionally, the NFL Baltimore Ravens. To relax Tom loved listening to Elvis.
Back in his early years he prevailed with a big win of being the BEST Elvis impersonator at the Whitley County's
Tomahawk Days Talent Contest.
Tom was quite proud of his Scottish heritage. As an Amercian patriot and self-made man, he truly loved our country.
His favorite lifetime hobby was engineering.
As the patriarch of the Marrs family, Grandpa Tom was proud to oversee a wonderful legacy of four generations. He
was a source of strength and a guiding light to his children. Grandpa could be seen in the stands at the "Grands"
athletic events and school music concerts too for he was among their biggest fans. He also looked forward to the
holidays and special family celebrations, getting together and making memories.
Left to cherish Tom’s memory are seven children: James Carlyle Marrs (Amy) of Carmel, Michael Thomas Marrs (Alysha)
of Rochester, John C. Marrs of Scott, Michigan, Laura Black of Louisville, KY, Thomas Marrs (Jenna) of Ft. Myers,
FL, Connor Marrs (Aime) of Isla Morada, FL and Carlyle Marrs of Miami, FL; 10 grandchildren: Adele "Adie" Marrs
and Adam Skinner, Ayden Marrs and fiancée' Vanessa Cross, Matt Marrs (Jessica), Alexa Marrs, Teagan Marrs, Max
Marrs, Amelia "Millie" Marrs, Carson Black and Kate Black; 6 great-grandchildren: Frankie Lou Marrs, Everleigh
Mae Marrs, Oakley Marrs, Remi Marrs, Logan Marrs, Vada Marrs and Killian Marrs; his siblings Steve B. Marrs of
Olney, IL and Janet Keirn (Steve) Ft. Myers, FL; several nieces and nephews along with the Marshall Electric
Family.
Preceding Tom in death are his parents and granddaughter, Taylor Quinn Marrs on June 22, 2015.
A celebration of the life of Thomas Carlyle Marrs will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the Good Family
Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester.
Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 5, 2025, and one hour prior to the service
in the funeral home. Pastor Teri White will officiate.
Interment will be in the Boonesville Church Cemetery, South Whitley.
Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Taylor Quinn Marrs Scholarship Fund thru the Northern
Indiana Community Foundation, 125 East 9th Street, Rochester, IN 46975.
married June 10, 1960 South Whitley, WHitley County, Indiana Margaret Ann “Marty” Mallock Birth 31 Dec 1941
Whitley county, Indiana Death 23 Aug 2024 Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana Burial Rochester IOOF Cemetery
Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana daughter of Roscoe Lelan Mallock and Lois Span; divorced
Marty Walters, 82, of Rochester was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 3:48 AM on Friday,
August 23, 2024, at Woodlawn Hospital.
On December 31, 1941, Margaret Ann Mallock was born in South Whitley to Roscoe and Lois Span Mallock. Growing
up she shared her childhood with three sisters and two brothers as the youngest of six children.
Marty graduated from South Whitley High School with her class in 1959. During her high school years she was a SW
Bulldog cheerleader.
On June 10, 1960, in South Whitley, Marty married Thomas Carlyle Marrs. Their union produced a trio of handsome
sons: Jim, Mike and John. The family tree continued to grow with the additions of two more generations.
Marty and Leslie R. "Frog" Walters were married on April 23, 1982, in the First Christian Church of Rochester.
They shared 29 years of life's adventures. Sadly, he passed away on February 12, 2011.
A woman of diverse interests, Marty began her professional career with AT & T as a switchboard operator. Many
locals will remember Marty assisting her customers at the Hollie's Hallmark Store. More recently she managed
the office of Virga A. Smith CPA, retiring after 25 years of service in 2013.
With strong faith, Marty was a devoted member of First Baptist Church. She enjoyed adding color to the landscape
of her home by planting showy and vibrant flower gardens. Bird watching and keeping them all fed was another
joy filled hobby.
In the early years Marty made many memories with her sons camping out under the starlit skies. Favorite
destinations for vacationing were Myrtle Beach and Sanibel Island. They greatly embraced nature via the sunshine,
sand and surf.
More recently Marty and John Moore enjoyed dining out, especially at Amelio's, taking an evening ride and getting
some ice cream or taking a walk at the Prairie's Edge Nature Park Trail. They also enjoyed tranquil moments seated
near the backyard firepit. Marty dedicated time each day to staying connected with friends near and far as armed
with her Ipad she accomplished making connections thru Facebook and keeping up on breaking news.
Leaving a legacy filled with positivity, perseverance, fortitude and courage, Marty was a family role model who
navigated life with an amazing grace and style. Always her warm smile radiant and brown eyes twinkling with
excitement. As a proud matriarch, Grandma Marty was proud to oversee four generations. She was the grandchildren's
number one cheerleader, faithfully following their activities music concerts, academic competition and sporting
events. Grandma Marty looked forward to getting together for family celebrations and the holidays making memories.
Left to cherish Marty's memory are her three sons: James C. Marrs and wife Amy of Carmel, Michael T. Marrs and wife
Alysha of Rochester, John C. Marrs of Scott, Michigan; the father of her sons, Tom Marrs of Rochester; her
companion and best friend John Moore and his daughter Katie Sanchez and husband Chava of Rochester; grandchildren:
Adele "Adie" and companion Adam Skinner, Ayden Marrs and fiancée' Vanessa Cross, Matt Marrs and wife Jessica, Alexa
Marrs, Teagan Marrs, Max Marrs, Amelia "Millie" Marrs, Aaron Moore, Olivia Sanchez, Madelyn Sanchez, Lucas Sanchez;
4 great-grandchildren: Frankie Lou Marrs, Everleigh Mae Marrs, Remi Marrs, Logan Marrs; and a sister Judy Cordill
of Mishawaka. The family expects a new addition in October Vada Marrs.
Preceding Marty in death are her parents; husband Frog; granddaughter, Taylor Marrs on June 22, 2015; and her
siblings: Wade Stoner, Tom Stoner, Bonnie Abel and Janet Ruef. Crossing Rainbow Bridge was her treasured canines
Duke and Mac the black and white Sheltie and Border Collie special blends.
Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester
Children:
James C. Marrs
Michael T. Marrs
John C. Marrs
married 12 Dec 1981 Anderson, Madison, Indiana Carol Sue Hardwick
married Shannon M McLochlin