Obituary: St. John, Marlin R.
Age 83
Marlin Ray St. John was born on the farm at Fairbank, WA, on January 22, 1930 to Harold C. and Mamie E. (Pittmann) St. John.
He was one of three children and had one brother and one sister.
Marlin went to the Goldsworthy School for kindergarten, first and second grade education, then to Oakesdale for third through jr. high and high school.
He graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1948.
He married Evelyn M. Horlacher on September 8, 1950 at Oakesdale, WA.
They farmed at Rockford, WA., for four years, then moved back to the St. John family farm at Rosalia.
He began farming in 1945 and retired in the fall of 1995.
His wife Evelyn drove truck, helped Marlin move machinery, and worked with him side by side during the 45 years they farmed together.
Marlin was a member of the Oakesdale Presbyterian Church while growing up.
He served on the board of the Oakesdale Grain Growers for 15 years during the 70’s and 1980’s.
The couple was blessed with three children, Nicholas Orlando St. John, born in 1952 in Spokane, Vicky Lee St. John, born in 1954 in Fairfield, and Michael Ray St. John, born in 1957 at Fairfield.
Survivors include a daughter, Vicky Lee Cochran of Colfax, WA; son, Michael Ray St. John of Yakima, WA; daughter-in-law, Lou Ellen St. John at the family farm home near Rosalia; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
His wife of 59 years preceded him in death in August of 2010; and his son, Nicholas St. John preceded him in death on June 7th, 2006.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Oakesdale, WA.
Pastor Erik Buhl will officiate at the service.
Urn burial will be at the Oakesdale Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Community Presbyterian Church at Oakesdale, WA; the Whitman County Fire District No.
7, Box 291, Rosalia, WA, 99170 or to the Whitman County Fire District No.
10, Oakesdale Station, 202 Hodges Road, Oakesdale, WA, 99158.
Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa, WA is handling the arrangements.