Marion Ray Acton
Marion Ray Acton, Winona Lake, died at 4:53 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 at the age of 87.
He was born April 15, 1929 in Muncie to William John Acton and Dora Dean (Huey) Acton. He was married Aug. 7, 1948 and celebrated 68 years of marriage with Carmen Darlene (Hays) Acton, who survives in Winona Lake.
He served in the U.S. Army (Airborne) from 1946-47 and graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1948 and Ball State Teachers College in 1954. He also received a Master’s degree in 1961.
Marion spent his lifetime as an educator. He was a teacher and administrator for 40 years at LaFontaine Public Schools, Marion City Schools, Tippecanoe Valley and Wawasee Community Schools. After retiring he served for 12 years on the Wawasee Board of Education.
Marion officiated football and basketball at both the high school and college level. He had the privilege of working four state final basketball games held at Hinkle Field House, Assembly Hall at Indiana University and Market Square Arena. He was also an official basketball observer for the IHSAA. Marion started two different Official’s associations: Mississinewa and Northern Indiana. Marion was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Center Circle Officials Recognition Award. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Leesburg, Indiana.
Along with his wife, Carmen Darlene Acton, Winona Lake, he will be lovingly remembered by his three sons: Daniel Ray (wife Luanne) Acton, Morton; Donald Ray (wife Joanie) Acton, Asheville, N.C.; Del Ray (LouAnn) Acton, Milford; and his daughter: Denise D. Perry, Ligonier. Also surviving are eighteen grandchildren: Rachel (husband John) Gruet; Caleb Acton; Matthew Acton; Neile (wife Dylan) Cunningham; Gunnar Acton; McKenzie Acton; Mindy (husband Warren) Harris; Jared (wife Sarah) Smith; Jason Fisher; Melissa (husband D.J.) Caballero; Cody (wife Melissa) Perry; Jeffery (wife Jennie) Acton; Michelle (husband Philip) McGuire; Nathan (wife Alissa) Acton; Moriah Acton; Josiah Acton; Lydia Acton; Sophia Acton; and thirteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Gretchen P. Acton Jett; three brothers: Francis Keith, William J. and Herbert G.; and his grandson Luke Acton.
A private graveside service will be held Monday, Nov. 14 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Milford and officiated by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 at the Grace Village Fellowship Café (front entrance), Winona Lake.
Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and in memo line please write in to go towards the “Caring Friends Endowment”.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com