Vernon Marler

Vernon Marler, 91, died Thursday, July 30, 2015, at Aston Park Health Care Center. A native of Marshall, Mr. Marler was a son of the late Regan and Pearl Roberts Marler. He was an Army veteran of WW II, serving with the 87th Infantry Division, 345th Infantry, Company E, 3rd Army. He was assigned to Ardennes and Germany in a rifle company. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge from January 1, 1945 until March, 1945. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and two Battle Stars in addition to the Combat Infantryman Badge for coming under enemy fire. Former Congressman Heath Shuler honored Mr. Marler from the floor of Congress for his military service. Mr. Marler attended Cecil's Business College and he was a member of Temple Baptist Church. He retired as Supervisor of Archives and Records at the National Climatic Data Center. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Embler Marler and numerous nieces, nephews and great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Randy Bray officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 985 1/2 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 1990 Fordham Drive, Suite 100, Fayetteville, NC 28304.