By: Mark Holtsberry
John William Marker was born in Paulding County, Ohio March 15, 1893. The son of George Marker, John’s mother could not be located. In 1900, found where John was living at the Children’s Home in Defiance, not sure on details.
On June 3, 1917, John while living in Briceton, Ohio, joined the National Guard out of Paulding. He served with Company B. 2nd Ohio National Guard. This unit incorporated into Company B. 166th United States Infantry, 42d Division. John was shipped overseas leaving a fella named Robert Granger of Briceton as the person to be notified in case of an emergency.
He was promoted to Private 1st Class August 17, 1918. Then promoted to Corporal August 31, 1919. John saw action at Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Muese Argonne Defensive Sector. He served in the American Expeditionary Forces October 18, 1917 to April 25, 1919. John boarded the ship “Leviathon”, at Brest, France April 18, 1919. He arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, April 25, 1919.
After the return home, John settled in Michigan where on January 31, 1924, John married a gal named Mary Ellen Ryan, born May 30, 1905 in Minnesota, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Ryan. A son, John Michael Marker was born November 21, 1924. In 1927, Mary and John and son John, were living at 710 North Park Avenue, Jackson, Michigan.
In 1930, the family was living in Blackman, Jackson County, Michigan at 13 Henrietta Street. John was working as a laborer at an Auto Parts Factory. On February 27, 1935, Mary had filed for divorce on grounds of nonsupport. In 1936, Mary remarried a fella named Franklin Odell. They were living at 310 North Milwaukee Street, Jackson, Michigan.
On December 6, 1936, in Jackson, Michigan, at the age of 43, John William Marker passed away, he was buried in Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson County, Michigan. His body was placed in the Soldiers Field, grave 17. On June 3, 1944, his service record was verified to receive an upright military tombstone.
His stone was ordered September 21, 1944. As for his son, John Michael, he lived in Redford, Michigan, registered for the World War Two draft December 30, 1942, in Jackson, Michigan. He was working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He was making gas tanks for bomber airplanes. He served in the military March 30, 1943 – October 19, 1945.
He married a gal named, Dorothy Giar in Michigan July 14, 1945. He passed away February 27, 2003. On April 20, 1983, Mary passed away in Orlando, Florida. She is buried with her second husband, Franklin.
… Until Next Time!
