Marner, Keith A. (1943-1968)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Jun 13 p. 3

Birth date: 1943 Apr 5

text of obituary:

Coach and Instructor At Iowa School Dies

Wayland, Iowa. — Funeral services for Keith A. Marner, 25, an instructor and coach at Waco High School here, were held on June 1 at the Wayland Mennonite Church. Rev. Walter Neufeld and Bishop A. Lloyd Swartzendruber officiated.

Death came as a result of cancer at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City on May 29. He had been ill since last fall.

An outstanding athlete at the Kalona and Mid-Prairie schools, he was a graduate of Bethel College, North Newton, Kan. He had taught at Waco High School since 1965, and last fall was made head football coach while continuing as junior varsity basketball coach and part-time instructor of industrial arts.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Jul 25 p. 11

text of obituary:

KEITH ARNOLD MARNER

Keith Arnold Marner, son of Walter and Alta Rhodes Marner, was born in Johnson County, Iowa on April 5, 1943. He saw his need of salvation at an early age, was baptized upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ on Nov. 23, 1952 and received into the East Union Mennonite Church where he remained a faithful member until death.

Keith grew up on a farm near Kalona and attended a nearby grade school where he was known to be a conscientious student with a quiet, winsome spirit that made him many friends. He attended high school at Kalona and Mid-Prairie. After graduation he attended Bethel College, Newton, Kan., for four years, an experience which he later cherished very much. In the past few years he had been enrolled in various courses at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in pursuit of a Master's degree in guidance.

On June 27, 1965 he was married to Joycelyn Schmidt of Buhler, Kan. They shared life together in this relationship for two years and 11 months.

In the fall of 1965 Keith came to teach at Waco High school, Wayland, Iowa. He taught Industrial Arts, was Junior Varsity basketball coach, and assistant football coach for two years. In the fall of 1967 he became head football coach and remained Junior Varsity basketball coach and part-time Industrial Arts instructor, and also worked in Junior High Guidance.

In addition to his interest in high school football, Keith was deeply interested in youth and their religious nurture. He was active in the Wayland Mennonite Youth Fellowship and taught the High School Sunday School class at the Wayland Mennonite Church for almost two years. He was deeply respected and loved as a teacher of youth, and his influence will live on in the lives of all whom he touched.

Keith became ill in the fall of 1967. In January 1968 his illness was diagnosed as malignant. He underwent major surgery, x-ray treatments, and finally chemotherapy in a courageous struggle for life and health. He passed away at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Ia., on May 29, 1968. He reached the age of 25 years, one month and 24 days.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife Joycelyn; his parents, Walter and Alta Marner; a brother, K. Francis and wife Deanna of Wheaton, Ill.; a sister, Anita Marie and husband Elton Phile [sic Pfile] of Ridott, Ill.; his parents-in-law, Wilmer and Edna Schmidt of Buhler, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Jolene Schmidt, also of Buhler; three nieces, two nephews as well as a number of aunts and uncles.

Funeral services were conducted at the Wayland Mennonite Church with Rev. Walter Neufeld and Bishop A. Lloyd Swartzendruber in charge. Burial was in the East Union Cemetery.