Gene A. Marrs, 85, of Marshall, IL passed away 12:35 PM Friday, April 10, 2015 in Union Hospital at Terre Haute, IN where he had been admitted the previous day.

Along with his wife Patricia, he was the former owner and operator of Marrs Furniture in Marshall. He was born April 30, 1929 in the Grandview area of Edgar County, IL, the son of Clayton Marrs and Zophia Jane Richey Marrs. He married Patricia Stickler on Jan. 28, 1951 at the Bell Ridge Christian Church, rural Paris, IL.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Patricia; two sons, Gregory (Mary) Marrs of Auburndale, FL and James (Chris) Marrs of Marshall, IL; three grandchildren, Clayton Gene (Carol) Marrs of Chattanooga, TN, Sarah Danielle Marrs of Greenville SC and Rachel Ann Marrs of Boulder, CO. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Maurice Joseph Marrs.

He was a member of the First Christian Church of Marshall where he served as a Deacon for over 30 years. He was a 1947 graduate of Paris High School. He held plural memberships in Prairie Lodge #77 and Marshall Lodge #133 AF and AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Marshall Lions Club for 55 years, Clark Co. Historical Society and Clark Co. Post #90 of the American Legion.

Following his graduation from high school he was employed by Edgar County Farm Supply until he served this nation during the Korean War in the US Air Force as an air traffic controller at Kessler Air Force Base at Biloxi, MS.

Following his discharge from the military he returned to Edgar County Farm Supply until 1959 when he moved to Marshall and became the manager of Marrs Furniture Store and was also employed at Marrs Funeral Home.

Gene and his wife purchased the furniture store in 1969 and operated it until 1996. At that time he became an employee of the Pearce Funeral Home in Marshall and also drove cars for Lincoln Trail Ford Mercury and also assisted his nephews with their farming operation in Edgar County. He was an expert marksman and enjoyed hunting and target shooting.

Services in honor of his life will be 10:00 AM Wednesday at Pearce Funeral Home with Bro. John Cutshall officiating. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Clark Co. Post #90 and VFW Post #5975. Visitation will be 3-7 PM Tuesday with Masonic services at 7:00 PM and also 7:00 AM until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church. Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.