Marlin Kerby Obituary - Bonner Springs, Kansas | Alden Harrington Funeral Home

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Marlin Kerby
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Obituary for Marlin S. Kerby

Marlin S.  Kerby
His family will receive friends at a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13th at the Bonner Springs First Christian Church. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14th also at the church, with burial to follow in the Bonner Springs Cemetery.

Life Story for Marlin S. Kerby

The morning of September 11, 2016, “Patriot’s Day”, our Dad, Marlin Kerby went to join our mother Elta in heaven. Dad passed peacefully having spent the previous several days surrounded by his loving family and friends. Dad lived a full 94 years and was a friend to all he met. He was very social and always offered a kind word and smile to everyone he encountered. Marlin was born at his home on June 28, 1922 and was a life-long resident of Bonner Springs, graduating from Bonner Springs High School in 1940. He was inducted into the Bonner Springs High School Hall of Fame in 2006.

Marlin attended Washburn University where his studies at Washburn Law School were interrupted in 1942 when he went to fight in World War II for this country that he loved. Dad was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator. On his 60th and final bombing mission, his airplane was shot down over Czechoslovakia. He was a prisoner of war and endured a 600 mile march at the end of the war as his captors attempted to avoid the Allied forces and was eventually liberated by British forces in May 1945. Marlin was a Technical Sargent and decorated veteran earning the Presidential Citation and Oakleaf Cluster, the Europe - African - Middle East medal, three Bronze Stars, the POW medal and the Victory medal. He returned to the United States and earned his Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Washburn University in May of 1951. On September 1, 1951, Marlin married Elta Henry at the Bonner Springs First Christian Church and together they raised their six children. Mom and Dad were lifelong members of the First Christian Church where Dad served as an Elder and Board Member for many years.

Dad enjoyed a long career with Aetna Insurance retiring at the age of 63. He served his community as Municipal Court Judge in Bonner Springs from 1958 until 2002.

In the past few years Dad enjoyed being the recipient of several recognitions of a life well lived. On September 11, 2014, Patriot Day, he went to Washington, DC as a guest of the Honor Flight program. Always a patriot, Dad stood at attention saluting the World War II monument that commemorates his sacrifices and the sacrifices of his comrades. He was humble and was always quick to mention those that served with him when someone would thank him for his service. Dad had a busy 2014. In addition to the Honor Flight, he was invited by the Kansas City Royals to their military seat and was recognized during the seventh inning during their “Our Heroes” segment. The Royals soon invited him back to throw out the first pitch in the 2014 wild card game. When offered to throw the pitch from half-way he rejected that offer and went to the mound to throw the pitch the full distance. The game went until approximately 2:00 am and he insisted to stay to the very end. Marlin also was recognized by his home town, Bonner Springs with a Proclamation honoring him and proclaiming September 8, 2014 as “Marlin Kerby Day”.

Of all his accomplishments, awards and recognitions, he was most proud of his titles of “Dad” and “Grandpa.” Family was very important to Dad. His children and grandchildren were all well loved by him. Rest in peace Dad. He was preceded in death by his wife Elta (Henry) Kerby on December 1, 1988, and siblings; Lyman, DeWayne, Betty, Dorothy, Leslie, Josephine, Charlene. Left to carry on his legacy are his children; Kris Kerby and wife Teresa of Cummings, KS, Marla Barker and husband Kirby of Topeka, KS, Jim Kerby and wife Terri of Bonner Springs, KS, Janet Kerby-Vitt and husband Joe of Bonner Springs, KS, Carol Zumbrunn and husband Keith of Bonner Springs, KS and Jo Kuckelman and husband Mike of Olathe, KS. His sister Shirley Mason of Bonner Springs, KS and brother Loren Kerby and wife Helen of Platte City, MO. His grandchildren; Lara (Kerby) Spencer, Kate (Kerby) Kinnen, Kurtis Kerby, Peter Kerby, Christina Barker, Scott Barker, Dustin Kerby, Corey Garrett, Travis Hochard, Jayden Vitt, Jennifer Pierce, Sara Kuckelman, Jacob Kuckelman and Matthew Kuckelman, and 15 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. Carnie Nulton, the staff at Country Place Senior Living and Catholic Charities Hospice for the wonderful care and support they provided to Marlin. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church, 148 N Nettleton Ave, Bonner Springs, KS 66012.

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