Charles Marshall

Charles Robert Marshall, 71, of Bath Township, passed away on September 7, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. Charles was born on June 9, 1952, to Chester R. and Eva Lou Marshall in Akron, Ohio. He was the youngest of nine children.

Charles spent his early years in Saint Sebastian Grade School and graduated from Walsh Jesuit High school in 1970. Charles attended college at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he majored in Business Management. This endeavor introduced Charles to two of his major passions, South Carolina and construction.

With the support of a local subcontractor and mentor, Charles started his own construction firm based in Charleston. He also further embraced his love of sailing and developed his interest in hang-gliding, golfing, and was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. This was a time of immense joy and growth for Charles, finding his passion in work, hobbies, starting a business, and creating his own family.

At the request of his father, Charles returned to Northeast Ohio to help run his family business, but the construction business remained his passion. After several years, he took a job with Irwin Geis, founder of Geis Companies and honed his skills and vision. In 1997, he left his position as Vice-President with Geis Construction to open his own design-build firm, Beacon Marshall Company. He then established Marshall Construction, which focused on local projects and EM Construction which expanded his portfolio beyond Northeast Ohio. Part of Charles' joy for his work was meeting people, satisfying clients, and seeing projects from start to completion.

In 2011, Charles met his wife Kimberly. Charles and Kimberly shared a wonderful marriage full of great jokes, joy and generosity. They also shared a collective vision for life and creating impact in their local communities. They celebrated their daily life with special attention to their adult children and grandchildren. Charles never retired nor ceased working, and spent time, until his last breath, balancing his projects and ensuring that those he loved dearly were well cared for. While Charles didn't slow down much, when he did, for a meal or a day at most, it left a great impression on those who loved him. Anyone who knew Charles quickly learned his favorite and most used language was Construction French. He always ate his dessert first and also after every meal. It was not uncommon to find Charles treating others to something as special as fine dining or at the hot dog shop he loved. He touched many people's lives, and the community benefited from his generosity and spirit, and always being willing to lend a hand.

While Charles' favorite hobby was building and growing businesses, which he did nationally, he never left or stopped loving his home city of Akron, Ohio and the surrounding area where he was proudly born, raised, and finally closed his eyes to rest. Charles left knowing he was loved, cared for, and was also at peace with forgiveness in his heart.

Charles was predeceased by his parents Chester R. and Eva Lou, sister Monica Burley (Ed) and daughter Emily Marshall. He is survived by wife Kimberly Marshall, his daughters Erin Marie McAnallen and Alexis Marshall, son Emerson Marshall (Katie), grandchildren Isabella Rothschild, Frankie Marshall, Ethan Marshall, Eleanor Marshall and Bear Marshall, and stepson Adam Nemeth (Christina) and their children Josaphine, Colton, Wyatt, and Ophelia. He is survived by siblings Valerie Potter (Dr. James deceased), Eva Ann Hubiak (Nicholas deceased), Clara Taipale (Robert deceased), Hannah Marshall (Rich Slovisky), Dr. Cynthia Marshall-Petroff, and Chester R. Jr. (Helen).

Family and friends may call at the Hummel Funeral Home located at 3476 Copley Road, Copley OH 44321, on Monday September 11, from 4 - 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday, September 12, 11 am, at St Francis De Sales Parish, 4019 Manchester Road, Akron 44319.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of the following organizations:

Stephen A. Communale, Jr. Cancer Foundation

Love an Angel Foundation

Lupus Foundation of American - Brecksville Ohio