Marion McLean Spannbauer

Marion McLean Spannbauer was born October 23,1926 in Harbor Creek, PA (near Erie) where she spent her childhood.  She later received a scholarship to study English and Sociology at Mercyhurst College in Erie from 1943-1947, which was unusual for women of that era.  Her best college friend, Marge introduced her to her future husband, Robert Spannbauer, who had just returned from Europe after WW2; Marion returned the favor by introducing her older brother to her friend.  Both couples married in the summer of 1948 and remained best of friends.

  After college Marion began teaching English and Sociology in Painesville, Ohio until Robert finished his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Art.  They then moved to Akron where Robert began teaching art for the Akron Public Schools.  They subsequently had three children and Marion became a devoted mother.  She had played piano beautifully in her youth and gave piano lessons, founded a reading group among friends, continued her education at Akron University in a Master's program in Geriatrics and later taught at risk youth for the Akron Public Schools.     

   Marion and Robert were very active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where Marion taught Sunday School at Trinity and Lakeside.  They had a large group of beloved friends from Trinity that went on yearly camping trips.  After Robert retired, they were avid European travelers, visiting their daughter in Germany almost yearly and their other daughter in Iowa. 

  The five grandsons became their most beloved occupation.  Having their son and family living nearby in Akron was a joy.   Marion and Robert's home remained a central meeting place for the whole family.  

  Marion and Robert moved to St. Edward's Village in 2020, and shortly after their anniversary that year, Robert passed away.  Marion remained the family head until January this year.   Her children, grandchildren as well as extended family and friends will deeply miss Marion's love and her quiet, humble ability to listen attentively and to take seriously and remember what was said. 

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

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