Obituary for
Rev. Harry Goodale Marshall
The
Reverend Harry Goodale Marshall (January 11, 1918) of Rocky Point, Long Island,
New York, from his Delaware home entered peacefully into the presence of our
Lord and Savior on July 17, 2021, at the age of 103 years and six months.
There, he has joined his wife of 70 years, Florence Weir Marshall, who entered
the presence of the Lord in 2012.
Harry left behind a rich legacy of eternal impact for God’s kingdom, its reach
unquantifiable. A bronze star World War II veteran of the U.S. Army in which he
served as Assistant to the Chaplain, Harry married Florence in 1942. He
graduated from Columbia Bible College with a B.A. degree in Biblical Education
in 1947 and his M.A. degree in Biblical Education in 1948. Then, he prepared
for the ministry and graduated from Faith Theological Seminary in 1951 with his
M.Div. degree. He desired to spread the Gospel to the remote regions and thus
began serving in Peru in 1953 with his first three children: Ruthie, Lois, and
Colin. Two more children, Verne and Nathan, were born on the mission field in
Peru. Harry served for 32 years under the auspices of the Independent Board for
Presbyterian Missions, later World Presbyterian Missions, and Mission to the
World, returning to the United States due only to the unrest of Peru in 1985.
The sooner-than-expected missionary-in-retirement nonetheless continued
preaching and teaching the Word of God in various churches throughout the
Delaware valley all the way through the age of 101. His last sermon as the
pastor of Manor Presbyterian Church was entitled: “Love your Enemies, Love your
Neighbor, Love the Lord.” Harry’s faithfulness and dedication to the ministry
knew no bounds, and the baptisms and marriages he officiated are innumerable.
Harry learned not only Spanish, but also Quechua, in order to deliver the Bible
to the most remote peoples of the Peruvian jungle and mountains.
Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Florence and eldest daughter, Ruthie
Gutierrez (Rev. Gerardo) both in 2012; parents, Floyd and Ruth Goodale
Marshall; sister, Shirley Bennett; brother, Wayne Marshall; sister, Avis
Phelps; sister, Vi Hazard; and grandchild, Keila Gutierrez. He is survived by
his children and their spouses: Lois and Rev. Michael Clark of England, Colin
and Elizabeth Marshall of Delaware, Rev. Verne and Alina Marshall of Chile, and
Nathan and Cynthia Marshall of Delaware; brother, Dr. Verne Marshall of New
York; sister, Dale Magnoli Russo of Florida; 21 grandchildren; 24
great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many friends whom he loved
dearly.
Interment will be held on Monday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery,
Wilmington. Afterward, a service to celebrate the life of the Rev. Harry
Marshall will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 720 Marsh
Road, Wilmington. A luncheon will follow. The family wishes for all friends to
join them. In lieu of flowers, it would be consistent with the desires of Harry
that any gifts might have an eternal impact, and as such, it is the desire of
the family that they are given in his memory to Mission to the World (www.mtw.org) or Radio Amauta (www.RadioAmautaPeru.com). For directions or to send an
online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com