Marlin J. Clay

Marlin J. Clay, age 82, of Mars, passed away on Sunday morning, January 22, 2023 at St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars.

Born in Rockwood, Somerset County, PA on March 4, 1940, he was the son of the late Clarence and Velma Shumaker Clay.

A school teacher for the Mars School District, Marlin developed the visual arts program and taught art at Mars High School for 35 years.   He served as chair of the Fine Arts curriculum team for most of his career at Mars.  He coordinated the annual Kindergarten through 12th grade Arts Showcase  at Mars for many years. Marlin produced, served as stage manager, built the sets and sponsored the stage crew for plays and musicals for approximately 40 years at Mars High School. He was a gifted sketch artist and painter.  Marlin and his late wife, Carol, were in charge of the refreshment stand for athletic events at the Mars School District stadium .

He coached various community girls softball teams for many years. 

He was a beloved teacher and became a positive role model for generations of students. 

He and Carol enjoyed working at estate auctions, collecting antiques, especially American Flyer model trains.  Marlin was an auto collector specializing in collecting Ford Mustangs.

He was also a member of the Mars Area History and Landmarks Society.

Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Michele “Shellee’ Klingensmith Clay of Cranberry Twp., his grandchildren, Morgan Kathleen Clay and Marshall Kincaid Clay, his sister, Marsha Ream in Somerset.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Kincaid Clay, who he married on October 6, 1962 and who died on December 26, 2019, by a daughter, Kathleen Ann Clay and by a son, Michael J. Clay.

Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from Noon until 3:00 PM at Luciano's Italian Brick Oven, 161 Scharberry Lane, Mars, PA 16046. Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com. Burial will be in Mars Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Rd. Renfrew, PA 16053.