Marion Wrightsman

Marion Wrightsman, 90, as good of a husband, father and friend as anyone could ever have or want, passed from this earth from natural causes on March 19th at the Clark Fork Valley Long Term Care facility in Plains.

Marion, known as PeeWee, was born on March 17th, 1921 in Kenton, Ohio, but was raised and lived for most of his life in Shelby, Ohio. He grew up in poverty during the Great Depression. After graduating from high school Marion began dating Alice Louise Landis, whom he had known since childhood. He joined the Army in 1942 and married Alice in 1943, before being shipped to Europe to take part in the Normandy invasion. Marion was in the 35th Infantry Division that was part of General George Patton’s 3rd Army. Marion took part in the Battle of the Bulge, as well as many other battles in the European Theater of Operations. He was one of the members of “The Greatest Generation” who helped make it great.

After the war Marion worked at an Air Force depot, raised mink with his brother Vern, and owned a very successful poolroom before the block it was on burned down. He then took a job at the Shelby Post Office, retiring from there in 1972. Marion then became a maintenance man at the Galion, Ohio Hospital and retired for good in 1983. He and Alice moved to the Phoenix area where they had many relatives. In 1988 they moved to Plains, Montana to be near their son, Rube, but two years later missed the warm winters and moved back to Arizona. In 2006, as old age gracefully began to creep up on them, they came back to Plains to once again be near their son. 

Throughout his long life Marion enjoyed bowling and especially golf. He was also well known (and well liked) for his homemade wine. Starting as a teenager Marion wrote, played, and sang country music. During World War II Marion met Bing Crosby and even pitched one of his songs to Bing, who declined the recording opportunity, but did send Marion a nice letter.

In his later years Marion wrote many more songs and poems and drew his own envelopes, which he sent to friends and family members. Shortly before his death, Marion, with the help of his son, put his poems, songs, and drawings into a book called The Poems and Songs of Marion Wrightsman.

Marion was healthy and active until January of 2011 and never lost his charm, wit, or sense of humor, even in his final struggle. Marion was a strong but kind man, and always generous to those who needed help. He faced his impending death with the same dignity and courage with which he always faced life.

His mother, Nellie, his father Arnold, his brother Vern, and his sister, Eileen, preceded him in death. Marion leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Alice Louise, and son Rube, both of Plains; a sister, Gladys, in Mesa, Arizona, plus many relatives and friends, all of who shall miss him dearly, knowing that until our souls are rejoined, we shall not see his like again.