Rufus B. Marthaler, 87, of Muscle Shoals, died Thursday, April 11, 2019. Visitation will Tuesday, April 16, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Colbert Memorial Gardens with Chad Holder officiating.
Rufus was native of Ford City and married Ruth on July 14, 1956 in Iuka, MS. Rufus left school to join the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in San Antonio, TX where he was a fireman on the Fire Brigade. After the war he was employed as an operator by Reynold’s Metal Company retiring after several years of service. He also was a member of River Road Church of Christ.
Rufus was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Marthaler; parents, Ruby and Flossie Marthaler; daughter, Beth Anne Marthaler; granddaughter, Rachelle Marthaler; great-grandson, Jase Alexander Kilpatrick; and sisters, Virginia Hurst, Martha Lane Gargis.
Rufus is survived by his son, Rufus B. Marthaler, Jr. (Vicki); grandson, Rufus B. Marthaler III; great-grandchildren, Casen Kilpatrick and Olivia Jayne McCravy; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Family will serve as pallbearers.
The family expresses special thanks to sitter, Sarah Hester, Myra Crunk and Deonna Shirley of Mitchell Hollingsworth and also to Denise James and staff of Community Care Hospice.
