Visitation for Rochester's Tom Marrs Thursday, funeral service Friday

Local businessman, entrepreneur, inventor and scientist, Tom Marrs, 83, of Rochester, passed away  unexpectedly on May 29 at his home.

On December 7, 1941, Thomas Carlyle Marrs was born in South Whitley to Barton E. and Hannah Belle Thomson Marrs. Growing up in Whitley County he shared his childhood with a sister Janet and a brother Steve. Tom graduated from Whitko High School with the class of 1959.  In pursuit to achieve his dream of becoming an electrical engineer he continued his formal education at Purdue University.  In 1963 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and a minor in accounting.

Arriving in the Rochester Community in 1974 Marrs founded Marshall Electric, a company of research and development that specialized in diverse types of ignition coils.  Marshall supplied these parts to Caterpillar, General Motors, Ford, Mercury Marine and Harley-Davidson to name a few.  Over the years Tom quietly invented several ignition coil systems that he patented.  Rochester has been the home to all of our most cutting-edge fabrications in the ignition systems industry. Not only does it serve as our lab and testing area for prototype design, but it also provides a hub for distribution within North America.  A humble man, Tom was a proud member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.  Last year Marshall Electric celebrated their 50-year anniversary as industry leaders.

An avid reader, Tom especially enjoyed books on science and military history.  He greatly admired Benjamin Franklin and his scientific knowledge.  Tom enjoyed watching and feeding all domestic backyard birds.  He was a life-long fan of all Purdue sports teams and professionally, the NFL Baltimore Ravens.  To relax Tom loved listening to Elvis.  Back in his early years he prevailed with a big win of being the BEST Elvis impersonator at the Whitley County's Tomahawk Days Talent Contest.  Tom was quite proud of his Scottish heritage.  As an Amercian patriot and self-made man, he truly loved our country. His favorite lifetime hobby was engineering.

A celebration of the life of Thomas Carlyle Marrs will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, in the Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester.

Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Pastor Teri White will officiate. 

Interment will be in the Boonesville Church Cemetery,  South Whitley.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Taylor Quinn Marrs Scholarship Fund thru the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 125 East 9th Street, Rochester, IN  46975.