Marlin Jerome Brantley

November 3, 1936 - July 24, 2017

Mr. Marlin Jerome Brantley, age 70, was called home by the Lord on July 24, 2017, after a short battle with cancer. His wife and daughter were by his side. Marlin was born on November 3, 1946, in Macon, Georgia to Edwin Kermit (Kermit) and Essie Ree (Carter) Brantley. He graduated from Metter High School in Georgia in 1964. After graduation, Marlin attended North Georgia Technical & Vocational School in Clarksville, Georgia. In 1966, Marlin entered the United States Air Force. He was assigned to Keesler Air Force Base where he received training for auto-track RADAR repair. After which, he was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base. While assigned to Vandenberg, Marlin’s rose to the rank of Sargent. His duties included tracking and communicating with satellites as well as maintaining RADAR. One of the many assignments Marlin conducted while in the U.S.A.F. was tracking and monitoring the moon landing in 1969 of Neal Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. He received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S.A.F. in 1970 with the final rank of Sargent. It was during Marlin’s deployment in Vandenberg that he was introduced to Christine Polsin. After a short six-week courtship, the two were married at La Purisima Church in Lompoc, California on March 21, 1970. Marlin and Christine Brantley lived in Atlanta, Georgia for the first two years of their marriage. Christine managed to convince Marlin to move to Wisconsin. Marlin spent the rest of his marriage trying to convince his wife to move out of the sub-zero climate of Wisconsin and back down to Georgia. He was not successful in his endeavors. After moving to Wisconsin, Marlin enrolled in classes at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Campus. He also began working for his father-in-law, Joseph (Joe) Polsin, at Abraham Memorials in Berlin, Wisconsin. Later, Joe sold the business to Marlin and Marlin became sole owner and operator. Marlin did enjoy having several of his nephews work for him when the need arose. After Marlin sold his business, he enrolled in and graduated from the Associates Degree Program at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac Wisconsin. Marlin was accomplished at many things including mechanics and computers. He would work on the family cars when the need arose (and sometimes when there was not a need). During his later years, when his health hindered his abilities, he used his time and energy programming his computer. Marlin was an active and dedicated member of Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church and later All Saints Catholic Church (all though, if asked, he would tell you he was a Southern Baptist at heart). Before Marlin’s health began to decline, his parish participation included being an usher and communion minister. He would have continued these ministries if able. Marlin is survived by his wife of 47 years Christine (Polsin) Brantley, his son Shawn (Christine) Brantley of Oshkosh, WI, daughter Tamara Brantley of Portage, WI, and son Douglas (Dawn) Brantley of Ripon, WI. Marlin is also survived by six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, numerous nieces/nephews, and many cousins. Marlin is preceded in death by his parents Edwin Kermit (Kermit) Brantley and Essie Ree (Carter) Brantley of Metter, Georgia. Also preceding his death are his brother Joseph Edwin (Eddie) Brantley of Twin City, Georgia and his sister Mary Astrid (Brantley) Turner of Savanah, Georgia.