Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Mo., died June 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Donald, a rifleman, was serving his first combat tour. He is the so of David Marler Sr. and Susan (nee Florian) Marler. He attended Oakville Senior High School, where he graduated in 2006. At Oakville Don played basketball and was active in school athletics. Donald chose to miss high school graduation to enter early into the Marine Corp. He was an avid Marine and served in the Presidential Security detail at Camp David, where he guarded President George W. Bush and President Barak Obama. David requested specifically to enter Marine Corp Unit 3/1, so he could serve his country in Afghanistan. he was deployed in April 2010 and was in Afghanistan until his passing last Sunday. Donald was an enthusiastic athlete and a faithful son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Most importantly Donald was a passionate Marine who placed service to his country far higher that anything else. Donald is survived by his mother Susan Florian Marler, his father David Marler Sr., his sister Jennifer Marler Pupillo (Mike), his brothers David Marler Jr. and LCpl Jacob Marler, his niece Mia Pupillo and his grandparents Vallie and Donald Marler and Edward Florian (USN Ret.). Donald is also survived by his girlfriend Joelle Kearns, who he loved dearly, and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Mo., died June 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Donald, a rifleman, was serving his first combat tour. He is the so of David Marler Sr. and Susan (nee Florian) Marler. He attended Oakville Senior High School, where he graduated in 2006. At Oakville Don played basketball and was active in school athletics. Donald chose to miss high school graduation to enter early into the Marine Corp. He was an avid Marine and served in the Presidential Security detail at Camp David, where he guarded President George W. Bush and President Barak Obama. David requested specifically to enter Marine Corp Unit 3/1, so he could serve his country in Afghanistan. he was deployed in April 2010 and was in Afghanistan until his passing last Sunday. Donald was an enthusiastic athlete and a faithful son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Most importantly Donald was a passionate Marine who placed service to his country far higher that anything else. Donald is survived by his mother Susan Florian Marler, his father David Marler Sr., his sister Jennifer Marler Pupillo (Mike), his brothers David Marler Jr. and LCpl Jacob Marler, his niece Mia Pupillo and his grandparents Vallie and Donald Marler and Edward Florian (USN Ret.). Donald is also survived by his girlfriend Joelle Kearns, who he loved dearly, and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
