Marlin Eater, 93, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully at 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Mount Vernon Health Care Center in Mount Vernon, Illinois.  His kind and generous spirit will be missed.  He was born Tuesday, February 10, 1920 to James Jonas and Mary Jane (Pace) Eater.  He was the grandson of John W. and Mary Eliza (Piper) Eater and William H. and Cassie Anna (Harvey) Pace.  On May 17, 1943 he married Nelda Dredge in New York City, New York.  Their wedding pictures were featured in Life Magazine with a sequel on their 10th anniversary.  She preceded him in death on October 8, 2007.  Surviving family members include two Daughters:  Janice Cherry and husband John and Becky Irvin and husband Roger all of Mount Vernon, Illinois; Grandchildren:  Jadie Thomas and husband David of Brentwood, Tennessee, Ryan Irvin and his wife Nicole of Bartlett, Tennessee, and Todd Irvin of Pontoon Beach, Illinois; Step Grandchildren:  Matt Cherry and wife Kristen and Rhonda Vessell and husband Jerry all of Brentwood, Tennessee; Great-Grandchildren:  Torin and Parker Marlin Thomas, Savannah Vessell, Dalton and Kayce Irvin, and Sabrina Cherry all of Brentwood, Tennessee; Brother: Arthur Eater and wife Bonnadine of Willow Springs, North Carolina; Sister-in-Law:  Bernice Breeze and Brother-in-Law:  Bob Draege both of Mount Vernon; and several Nieces and Nephews.  Preceding him in death were his parents, Wife: Mary Jane Eater; Sister:  Mildred Eater; Brothers and Sisters-in-Law:  Keith and Gertie Eater, Olen and Edith Eater; Sister-in-Law Jean Draege; Brother-in-Law:  Verne Breeze; and Step Grandson:  Rodney Irvin.   Charles Marlin Eater graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in 1939 and later in life took classes from Rend Lake College and Southern Illinois University. He served in the United States Army’s 4th Infantry Division during World War II from January 1942 to September 1945. He was a Staff Sergeant with Headquarters Unit, landing before dawn on D-Day in Normandy, France. He earned a Presidential Citation for helping secure Utah Beach. He was wounded thirty days later on the front lines of battle, awarded a Purple Heart, and sent to England for recovery. He then returned to serving in Germany in the Battle of the Bulge (also known as the Ardennes Offensive) with the 4th Infantry Division receiving a Bronze Star, two Oak Leaf Clusters for service beyond the call of duty, and a Combat Infantry Badge. He was also present in the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich, Germany. At the end of World War II Marlin returned to Mount Vernon, bought a farm, worked nights in the oil fields and farmed during the day. He retired in 1982. He had a special talent in art and received many awards and recognitions for his work in oil painting. Several of his paintings were juried and displayed at the Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center and shipped across the United States. He was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, song leader, and teacher from 1955 until failing health. He and Nelda were awarded the Dedicated and Outstanding Service Award by New Hope Church.   FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 7, 2013 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Reverend Alan Smith officiating. INTERMENT: will follow at Old Shiloh Cemetery in Jefferson County, Illinois where he had served on the cemetery board for many years. Members of the Mount Vernon American Legion Post #141 conducted a Flag Presentation at the cemetery. VISITATION: will be from 12:00 P.M. until service time at 1:00 P.M. Monday, October 7, 2013 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Old Shiloh Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864.