Elza "Bill" Neville Marling

Elza “Bill” Neville Marling, 93, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. A Parish Vigil Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, where a visitation will follow until 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Reverend Ken Glaser will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Bill was born on October 8, 1932, in Winthrop, Iowa, the son of Elza Sylvester and Mary (Spitler) Marling. He was a 1951 graduate of Quasqueton High School and went on to serve four years honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. On September 15, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Ruth Mae Sonka at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Bill retired from Wilson Foods in 1985, after 32 years and then worked for Rockwell Collins for 12 years. He was a member of the Marion American Legion Post 298 and St. Wenceslaus, where he sang in the choir for more than 50 years.

Bill had many interests, including enjoying his private flying license, building a boat, teaching his sons and friends to water ski, playing cards, traveling, playing piano and organ, watching sports-especially the Cardinals, and most of all, being with family and friends. He particularly loved a challenge and could fix anything. One of his greatest joys was lending a steady hand whenever someone needed help. Bill had many skills, lots of patience, and will be fondly remembered for his kindness by everyone who knew him.

Bill is survived and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 67 years, Ruth Marling; three sons, Greg (Lynette) Marling of Cedar Rapids, Brad (Rita) Marling of Marion, and Scot (Bonnie) Marling of Cedar Rapids; seven grandsons; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia Hassman, Gardena (Bill) Rector, and Neva Walton; brothers-in-law, John (Nancy) Sonka and Ken Sonka; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Leota Marling; and brothers, Harold, Richard, and Phillip Marling.

Memorials in Bill’s memory may be directed to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.