DOYLESTOWN - Helen Christine (Sauder) Marshall, passed away on January 4, 2018 following a period of declining health.  The oldest of the “Sauder Girls” of Ezra and Josephine (Bucher) Sauder, she was born at home on May 19, 1926.  She grew up in the rural area of Mansfield. A brilliant student, she graduated valedictorian at seventeen in her high school class and only two years later attained the same distinction when she earned her Bachelors of Arts degree from Ashland College. That fall, this independent woman, born ahead of her time, traveled alone by train to Montana to teach high school English and History. After three years, she returned to Ashland College and obtained an additional major in Art. There, she met her future husband, Robert Charles Marshall, Sr.  They were married in Ashland at St. Edward’s Catholic Church on June 11, 1949.

Helen and Bob subsequently moved to Doylestown where they raised their six children and were life long members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A talented artist, Helen inspired students, future educators and fellow artists. She taught art for many years in various school districts in the area including Rittman, Sterling and Doylestown. She was an avid collector of antiques and was acknowledged as a contributor to various publications on Depression glass and quilts. After raising her family, she was extremely happy with her later in life endeavor of studying metal smithing with renowned artist Christina DePaul. Her preferred medium was aluminum from which she created unique pieces of jewelry. Later, she thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Barberton Citizens Hospital. She donated more than 9,500 hours until ill health precluded her from continuing in 2005.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 1999, her parents and her beloved aunt and second mother, Emma Bucher.

Helen is survived by her six children and their families.  Dr. H. Christine and Thomas Dannemiller and Robert C., Jr. and Janet Marshall of Doylestown, Katherine (Katie) and Robert Harpster of Ashland, Mary and Harold Steiner of Eaton, Peter and Michelle Marshall of Massillon, and Peter’s twin, Paula and husband, Ken Nagy of Newbury; twenty-one grandchildren, John (Kim), Joseph (Melissa), and William (Courtney) Dannemiller, Robert (Dr. Liz) and Benjamin (Brein) Harpster and Hannah (Matt) Ashbaugh, Katherine and Marie Steiner-Sahu (Neil), Stephanie (Tim) Dougan, Anna (John) Terranova, Robert Marshall III (Leslie), Jennifer, Ezra (Julie), Mary Emma, and Henry Marshall, and Helena (Andrew) May, Mariah, Alyssa, and Peter James Marshall, Louis (Alana) and Thomas Fischer (Beverly); eight step-grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren.

The three other “Sauder Girls” also survive: Clara Snell, Joy Miller, and Geraldine “Tiny” Musille.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the late Dr. Philip Gilcrest and Louise Porter, RN for their care through the years. Also, they appreciate greatly her dedicated caregivers through the years, especially Carol Greer who continued to care for her even after she was in the nursing home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 161 W. Clinton St., Doylestown, 44230 with Rev. Fr. Robert Stein, celebrant. Burial will follow in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home, 132 N. Portage St., Doylestown.  Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

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