Marlene Bathrick

Marlene Jane (Reed) Bathrick, 86, of Rochester, went home to be with her Savior on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw.

Marlene was born to Howard and Lucy Reed on Jan. 30, 1937, near Nappanee. She grew up on an 80-acre farm east of Rochester and was the oldest of five girls. After graduating from Talma High School, she worked at Public Service Co. in Rochester.

On Dec. 6, 1958, she married Kenneth Bathrick at Mentone Baptist Church. They shared 58 years of marriage together before Kenny preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 2017.

She was a loving and devoted stay-at-home mother to their two children, Carmen and Kerry. Later, she drove a Rochester Community school bus and started an upholstery and boat cover business. After Kenny retired in 1996, they enjoyed winters in Okeechobee, Fla., where they spent a lot of time fishing on Lake Okeechobee and hosting friends and family.

Marlene and Ken were members of the Black Top Cruisers car club in Rochester. They enjoyed showing their restored 1931 Model A at car shows while visiting with club members and sharing insights about their restoration. Their garage eventually became full of trophies that acknowledged the craftsmanship that Marlene and Ken put into the car. Earlier in their married life, they shared a love of boating and camping, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Marlene also enjoyed gardening, playing piano and organ, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Riverview Community Church and was known for her friendly and cheerful disposition, letting her light shine by engaging in conversations with those around her.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Carmen (Randy) Paris, Winona Lake, and Kerry (Anna) Bathrick, River Forest, Ill.; grandchildren, Maddie and Landon Paris, Winona Lake, and Ellie and Jack Bathrick, River Forest, Ill. Also surviving are her sisters, Deloris (Chuck) Feldman, Rochester, Carolyn (the Rev. Joel) McElreath, Sun City, Ariz., Janita (Scott) Stinson, Kewanna, and Sharon (Bob) Sterk, Sevierville, Tenn.; as well as her brother-in-law, Keith (Carolyn) Bathrick, Rochester; sisters-in-law, Karen (Dan) Gibson, Marilyn Townsend and Carolyn (Jim) Wagoner; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, in-laws and multiple brothers and sisters-in-law.

Friends and family may visit from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be an hour of visitation prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m.

Marlene’s life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Rod Ruberg. A graveside service will follow at Rochester IOOF Cemetery in Rochester.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.