Marlin West

MARLIN RENO WEST, beloved son of Rubin and Geneva (Evans) West, was born on Tuesday, August 14, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio. He was reared in the Village of Urbancrest, Ohio, where he developed a deep love for family, faith, and community. Marlin was a proud graduate of Grove City High School, Class of 1970.

Following graduation, Marlin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably from 1970 to 1972. During his service, he quickly rose to the rank of Corporal, exemplifying discipline, leadership, and dedication to duty. Upon returning home, Marlin met the love of his life, Denise Lawson. The two were united in marriage in 1974 and shared a beautiful life together for fifty-one years. In 1984, Marlin and Denise built their family home on Lincoln Road in Urbancrest, Ohio. Marlin deeply loved his family and took great pride in being the patriarch. Together, Marlin and Denise were blessed with two children, Sabrina and Sheldon, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Marlin accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a longtime, faithful member of Union Baptist Church in Urbancrest, Ohio. He served actively in several church ministries, including the Usher Board and the Kitchen Cutlery Crew. Marlin devoted much of his life to public service. He began his civic contributions to the Village of Urbancrest as an elected Councilman, serving for eight years before becoming the tenth elected Mayor of the Village. Through his leadership, he made significant contributions toward fostering a more responsible and effective government for this historic community. Marlin later retired from the City of Columbus Refuse Department after more than twenty years of dedicated service.

In his leisure time, Marlin enjoyed fishing, watching television, listening to music on his radio, and being there for others. His true labor of love was baking his famous pineapple upside-down cake, which brought joy to many.

Our beloved Marlin R. West entered eternal rest on the afternoon of Monday, December 8, 2025. He was blessed with seventy-four years of life. He was predeceased by his father, Rubin West; mother, Geneva West; grandmother, Gertrude Kimbar; brothers, Samuel Ward, George Evans, Sr., and Anderson West; sister, Geordis Smith; and brother-in-law, Ronald Lawson. Cherishing his loving memory are his devoted wife of fifty-one years, Denise West; daughter, Sabrina West; son, Sheldon West; grandchildren, Tymaric “Marquies,” Marcel, and Javontez West, and Taiana and Jalynn Turner; great grandsons, Kobi and Kahmoni Murray; and soon-to-be great granddaughter, Marlina Flores; sisters, Irene Boyd and Donna Jean West; brothers, Calvin (Judy) West and James West; brothers-in-law, Juan Lawson, Adrian Lawson, and Dennie Lawson; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

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