It is with great sadness that the family of Nathan Marcum announces his passing as a result of a car accident, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at the age of 70 years. Nathan Marcum will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Nathan is survived by his wife Sharon Marcum (Bailey); his daughters Suzette Richie [Matthew Richie], and Nanette Dietrich [Jason Dietrich]; his grandchildren Matthew Richie [Ally Raissi], Zachary Richie [Kate Fraine], Elizabeth Moorman [David Moorman], Nathan Richie [Megan DiMisa], Molly Richie, Lauren Dietrich, Benjamin Dietrich, and Sean Dietrich; his great grandchildren Hudson Richie, Eli Morman.
Words can never do Nathan Marcum justice. He was patient, kind, humble, loving, caring, sensitive, hard-working, honest, selfless, thoughtful, funny, ornery, gifted at light-hearted teasing and practical jokes, calm, focused, grateful, centered, content, warm, and generous. He was a model of what it means to be a man of God, of true belief that manifested itself in action, not just words. Without hesitation he would step into another’s life and lend a hand, bringing his calm strength to help the weak through a time of hardship. He was the kind of man who would gladly change plans to come and fix a leak in an elderly acquaintance’s house and follow it up with a plate of food from his own kitchen for good measure – or better yet, an invitation to join his family at their own table. His hands had permanent calluses from years of hard work; his powerful grip was built by an honest lifetime of labor that would casually make itself known through his firm handshake.
He was the rock of the family, the provider and protector and coordinator, all with the simple goal of seeing his family laugh and spend time together. He had no other motive than to see us smile. There was never an adventure he wasn’t up for, and he would gladly drive us to Disney World in the heat and smile and chase his grandchildren as we built priceless memories, thanks to him.
He was a proud grandpa, a loving husband and father, and loyal friend.
Nathan, we pray that God reminds us of you each day and that, through His grace and by the memory of your example, we move ever closer to what we should be.
Until we meet again Nathan, thank you, and we will always love you. Farewell.
Just a few words to let Nathas family. A wonderful Christian man, and a joy to be around. God’s comfort to all of you. With love
My thoughts and prayers are will all of you in this time of heartbreak. Nathan was very special to my hear. He was not only my cousin but more like my Brother. I will always carry him in my heart. Will see him again some day in Heaven. Love ❤️ you’ all so much
We will always remember his kindness and humorous ways
One of a kind! It’s so sad to think we won’t never see him again in this life but we will in the next in Heaven 💗
Loved our times together in Church, on the pontoon, in Florida all the pranks , I can still hear his laughter when he’d pulled one on me 😂
love you Sharon 💕😢and we’ll continue to hold you up in our prayers 🙏Rose n Hager
I did not know him personally, but these words clearly describe a wonderful man who was so giving to others and I love that he could play a good practical joke too. My thoughts and prayers go to his whole family. May you all hold tight to your beautiful memories.
A true testament to a life well lived. I knew Nathan as a Godly and family loving man! I feel very blessed to have known him.
Sharon, Suzette and Nanette Our love and prayers are with you and the family. Our hearts break for you. love Elson and Lynn Barden
May my condolences bring you comfort and my prayers ease the pain of your loss. I wish you healing and peace during this difficult time. ❤️
Perfect description of our dear friend Nathan. One call and he was on his way. Our personal 912. Monday night he brought us peanut butter pie. He was a man of action not just talk. Sharon you and Nathan were a team like no other. We want to come hug you and cry together, share memories but we’ll put that on hold for now. We love you our dear friend.
My dear friend Sharon we are so sorry we are praying for you and your family we will miss Nathan we love you
Nathan lived a life that is pleasing to God. His legacy he has left behind is evident in his family. A life well lived. I’m sure he heard these words “Well done though good and faithful servant”. I know your heats are heavy. He will be greatly missed. We are praying for God to comfort you all during this time.
Randy, Joy, Claire and Sophia
What a beautiful summation for a man that truly lived exactly as wrote, he will be missed by so many, but especially his family, a life well lived is a gift, and he shared his gift, with all, the seeds he planted, in so many lives, will continue, he so blessed others with his very joy, that he found in the Lord, his life was the very example of, This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it, His reward is great, but his absence and the loss felt by all that Loved him is also great, Praying for you all, that you feel Gods loving arms holding you close
That was a perfectly beautiful tribute to Nathan! He is my Sons’ Father-in-Law, but he’s been more of a real Dad to him. So thankful for the Godly example he has been to Jason and my 3 Grandchildren. Such a wonderful person who embraced and loved us all; and we loved him! We were so blessed to have known him, and so thankful for eternal life through Jesus. Until we meet again in Heaven, may God bless and comfort this precious family..
He was one of the kindest men I know. He had a love of God, his wife,family and Fishing. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. God be with the family in this time of need.
The greatest example of a man of God. His family have memories and example to hold on to for life. Nathan had love so deep for his family and friends. Can still he and Sharon quietly saying “I love you” to each other even while playing a card game with friends. His footprints are left behind for other to follow. He had a great welcome into heaven. Nathan did walk the Christian life not just words. Proud to call him friend.
Sharon and family, Please know you are in our prayers. Nathan was a remarkable man. He will never be forgotten.
I loved working with Nathan at Kingsford Heights School. He cared deeply about his students and his colleagues and went above and beyond to help others. He was a true gentleman and remained positive and helpful in all situations. My prayers and condolences to his family. Nathan is missed and leaves a huge hole in the hearts of countless individuals.
My heart is breaking. I can’t say enough kind words about Nathan. He was a wonderful Godly man! I know when he got to that gate, he heard the words”well done, my child”, Adam and I are so sorry his life had to end this way. I will be praying for comfort to the family. I love all of you.
So sorry for your loss…a great person and always a kind word.
Nathan, you will be so missed. You made such an impact in our lives and the lives of our family members.
Sharon, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’m sure that Jack was waiting to say hello.
Perhaps there are great fishing holes in heaven.
I know there are angels amongst us, Nathan was such a person. He had so much patient and love for all he came in contact with. May he never be forgotten, I won’t because he touched my life. I thank God he came through our little town of Kingsford Heights,
Indiana. He spent time at our elementary school to touch little lives, too. Sweet prayers of peace to all the Marcum Family. 🙏🏽🙏🏽♥️♥️
Our hearts were broken when we received the news of Nathan’s passing. What a great man he was to all of us who were touched by his life. Always ready to encourage, help, and bless the lives of others. Nathan you are gone to to be with the Lord, but your life and influence will live on through your precious family and friends. We send our condolences the sweet family and love of Nathan.
A beautiful description of this wonderful man. We are praying for you, Sharon, and your family. He will be missed and remembered with love.
Such a kind and comical soul, always there to pull you up if you’re down He will be greatly missed but we will meet again!
Lifting your family up in thought and prayer! Such a sad loss but what a blessing to know he is with Jesus and we will see him again! My heart goes put to your family! We will be praying for peace and comfort!
Nathan was the epitome of what Christ wants us to be. He was a kind, generous person, with a great sense of humor, who always made you feel welcome in their home, or on his fishing boat, like you were his long time friend. He loved his wife and family dearly, which showed through his happiness whenever they were together and his encouragement in their endeavors. He seemed always to know what you needed before you needed it. We are heartbroken and miss him greatly. It still seems sureal. We hope this isolation ends soon so we can give Sharon and her family a hug and thank them for his life.
Nathan was all this and more! He was a true friend to everyone he knew. My favorite time with Nathan was when he took my 5th grade mentor and I to our church “men and boys fishing “ weekend. His passion for reaching boys to a living relationship with Jesus was a testimony to who he was.
We will always remember his example of how to live out his love for the Lord and all of us.
Our heartfelt sympathies to you Nanette, Jason, Lauren, Ben, Sean, and the rest of your family on the passing of your wonderful father (father-in-law, grandfather, husband). We are truly so sorry for your tragic loss. We remember him fondly and are grateful for the chances we had to meet him. Please cherish the wonderful memories you have made with him and never doubt his love for all of you. We are thinking of you and wish you the strength to get through this difficult time. Our love and best wishes
Suneet, Radhika, Tejis, Maya, and Asha Ranganath
Nathan was our brother-in-law, but also a true friend. We loved him so much, I don’t know where to begin. Whenever we were at our home in Florida, we spent so much time with him and Sharon. Nathan mowed our grass and was always ready to help with anything we needed done at our house. One time we told him we were going to get someone else to mow grass because we thought he was pretty busy. He wouldn’t hear of it. He said, “but these are the kind of things that give me pleasure, I like to help people.” And that was who he was, always ready to help anyone who needed it. He and Sharon both loved God with all their hearts and constantly reached out with the love of Christ to others. Such precious memories with him flood my mind, there are so many. Our hearts are broken right now but we know we will see him again some day. Our love and prayers are with his precious family.
Words can not express our deepest sadness over the loss of Nathan. We considered him a good friend. Our deepest condolences to his wife Sharon and his children. He will be missed.
Mr. Marcum was one of my favorite substitute teachers I liked seeing at school. I was so shocked to hear this happened so quickly. He was a man of God who will be missed. I will continue praying for your family.
We are so happy for Nathan that, when he took that last breath, he was present with the Lord according to the Bible. Even though we know that we know that, we are all deeply saddened that those still on earth will have to live without this remarkable Christian man in our lives.
We had not known Nathan and Sharon long; but upon meeting him, we connected quickly and deeply. Nathan talked about one of God’s paths and calling for his life was to teach. We were both teachers, too, and could see how his extraordinary enthusiasm, passion, genuine care, and concern for his students ensured he made a difference in many lives. His love of teaching others about the magnificent things in our world, how to see that knowledge used in their daily lives, and how to apply the information to use it in their futures was very apparent. He had a heart for students with special needs, just as he did each adult he met. it
We enjoyed be in groups with Nathan and Shar so very much.
Roger was thrilled to go fishing with Nathan several times. We talked about how we had gone to the same church and had never crossed paths, but we wished that we could have shared our lives together for longer. This news of Nathan’s passing resulted in everyone grieving and wishing for more time with him. The good news is those like Nathan, who have given their lives to Christ and live with His purpose, will see Nathan again… for eternity. What a wonderful and desirable Christ-like legacy Nathan leaves!!
Everything stated in this beautiful obituary sums it up perfectly. A wonderful man who has left an unforgetable legacy of goodness. There’s absolutely no doubt that Nathan has received many crowns and we will all see him again someday. I miss his smile already and great sense of humor. Sharon, God blessed you with a wonderful husband and God has you in His hand. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Words cannot express how I love Nathan, Sharon and the whole family. I always looked forward to seeing Nathan and just going back and forth with him and enjoying lots of laughs and will never forget his great smile and how ornery he was. He is now fishing in the Living Waters of Heaven. I know we will miss him but I will never forget his great love for his family and friends but more than anything his love of God. Thank You God for letting be part of this Great Man’s love here on earth and forever in Heaven!
We were so shocked at the news of Nathan’s passing. You were such a special man and we both loved working with you in the kitchen at church. We both feel blessed to have been able to know you. Please know our love and condolences go out to your family.
A beautiful obituary for a very deserving man I’m sure. Wish I had known him personally; however, his Brother Ernest and wife only had wonderful things to say about him as a brother and travel companion. God’s blessings on the family as they grieve during this difficult time.
I did not know Nathan, had never met him, but his obituary spoke volumes about a man that I would have loved to have as a friend. My cousin and her husband (Judy and Ray Gussler), knew and loved him very much. I pray God’s blessing on you, the family, and I pray for God’s peace and love to cover you and hide you safely under His wings.
Doris and Gerard King
Belleview, Florida
His heart for students continued in his retirement by not only substitute teaching at Indian Rocks Christian in Largo but he then turned the pay back around to the kids and sponsored mission trips. I only knew him a little from these school conversations on sub days but his family is an amazing testimony to the kind of father and grandfather he must have been to have this wonderful family.
Dear Sharon, cant even put into words the blessings we have received from, through and with you over the years of knowing your family. Nathan will be missed by so many who he showed tangibly the love of Christ. We celebrate his loving heart and mourn with you.
Our deepest condolences. I know how difficult it is to lose a parent unexpectedly. My heart goes out to your family. May God fill you with His strength and carry you through this. Always know, he is in a beautiful place and is rejoicing in God’s glory. May you find peace in Him.
Olga, Gloria and Mario & Mario Reyes
Sharon, I’m so very sad to hear about Nathan. I just heard what happened today. Please accept my sincerest condolences. I’m so sorry.