Mrs. Alberta A. Marsh

May 16, 1911 - August 19, 2009

Mrs. Alberta Schmollinger Marsh, of Vernon, passed from this life on August 19, 2009.

Mrs. Marsh was born on May 16, 1911 to Stella Justi and August Schmollinger at a "Whistle Stop" called Stubblefield, in Bond County, Illinois. As the daughter of a railroader, she lived in several places in Illinois, near St. Louis, as well as Terra Haute and Indianapolis. She moved to Jennings County with her family when she began high school, graduating from Vernon High in 1928. She married Norval Marsh in 1930 and they raised two children: Joan Marsh Bentz and Paul Wayne Marsh.

She was a 4-H leader of Zion Victory 4-H Club and a member of Zion Baptist Church. She opened Marsh Antiques in the Jennings County Historical Museum in Vernon in 1961, later she closed that shop and opened in the current location on Brown Street, which she operated and opened everyday until June, of this year. She was an avid reader, historian and researcher and also wrote poetry.

She is survived by her sister, Ida Goss, her son, Paul; 8 grandchildren: Jonathan (Linda) Bentz, Sarah Bentz, David (Becky) Bentz, Elizabeth (Larry) Bentz Williams, Judith (Bill) Bentz-Miller, Patrick (Kathy) Marsh, Peter (Jeanna) Marsh and Philip (Tonya) Marsh; 16 great-grandchildren: Tracy (David) Schildknecht, Christina (Walter) Gibson, Charles (Lisa) Bentz, Andrea (Jason) Edwards, Andrew Bentz, Ashley (Dylan) Blackman, Matthew and Steven Williams, Alex Miller and Garrett , Jacquelyn, Daniele, Ali, Tucker, Saddie and Levi Marsh; 16 great-great-grandchildren: Myha, Ashly and Lily Schildknecht Christopher and Kaitlin Bennett, Chad and Grant Gibson, Andrew, Carter and Brandon Bentz, Cody, Kaitlin, Rebecca, Madison and Bradley Edwards and Addilyn Herche; and 2 great-great-great grandchildren: Michael and Xandur Gibson. We list these as a tribute, because she never missed a birthday!

Funeral Information

There will be a private graveside service for the family.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Zion Baptist Church or Jennings County Hospice.