Marion Lee Howerton, Sr., 68, of Mayetta, KS passed away Thursday, November 22, 2018 at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born February 9, 1950 in Quinter, KS, the son of Marion Wesley and Goldie Alice (Hays) Howerton.  

          Marion attended grade school and junior high at Perry schools. He began working in the mid-1960’s at Ristol’s IGA in Topeka and also for K-Mart, Montgomery Ward and Gage Movie Theater. He later worked as a fork-lift driver at Payless Source (formerly, Volume Shoe) in Topeka, retiring after 38 years.

          Marion was a member of Teamsters Local Union 969 in Topeka, he raised and broke horses, was a farmer and stockman. One of his passions was participating in the Trail of Cure Cancer Ride in the Flint Hills.

          He married Diane Kennedy, they divorced.

          He married Saundra White on October 31, 1975 in Topeka; she preceded him in death in 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Goldie Howerton; a son, Danny L. Howerton; a granddaughter, Natalie Howerton and 10 brothers and sisters.

          Marion is survived by 2 sons, Marion Howerton, Jr. (Joellen) and Mark Howerton, both of Highland, KS; 2 daughters, Misty Mathis of Topeka, KS and Rosetta “Rose” Stauffer (Todd) of Mayetta, KS; 2 sisters, Irene Grey of Texas and Violet Williams of Alabama; 2 brothers, Eddie Howerton and Bill Howerton both of Topeka, KS; 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

          Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Private family memorial service will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Marion Howerton Memorial Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.