Converse Clayton Marks

Converse Clayton Marks, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served as Oshkosh City Clerk for 16 years, died Thursday at Bethel Home in Oshkosh. He was 94 and, except for 43 months in the U.S. Army, lived in Oshkosh his entire life.Mr. Marks worked for the city of Oshkosh for more than 45 years, starting as a Water Department clerk before World War II and serving his last 16 years as City Clerk. Before retiring in 1983, Marks was commended by the Oshkosh City Council and then-City Manager William D. Frueh for his leadership in the citys development, and his dedication to making Oshkosh a better place to live and work. A city clerk has to be the face of the city, and he was a great ambassador for Oshkosh, Mr. Frueh said Friday. He was unpretentious - always friendly, always a smile, always so willing to accommodate and help other people. Everybody loved Connie.An infantry soldier from 1942 to 1946, Mr. Marks served in the European Theater during World War II, part of Gen. George S. Pattons Third Army. A member of American Legion Post 70, Mr. Marks stayed in touch with many Army buddies after the war, regularly attending reunions.He was a good friend and a good soldier, said Keith Manbeck, a retired letter carrier from Little Falls, Minn., who served in the 95th Infantry Division with Mr. Marks and Company H 379, which helped capture Metz, a fort between France and Germany. We were called the Iron Men of Metz, said Mr. Manbeck. We didnt all come out. He and I were among the lucky ones. He was just a good, friendly, honest guy - a real gentleman.Mr. Marks was a past president and council member of Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. The Rev. John Beem, former pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, said Mr. Marks led without pushing. He was a leader in the church but never dominated, said the Rev. Beem, now of Miltona, Minn. He listened carefully to others. He knew what he was talking about but he didnt have to have his way. That makes for good decisions and peace in the parish; he contributed to both.The Rev. Beem also recalled Mr. Marks devotion to his father, the late-Herman Marks, who lived with his son on Northpoint Street. It was 24/7, said the Rev. Beem. Con said that, out of love for his dad and love for the Lord, he had to give him all the time he had.Always engaged in the community, Mr. Marks served as a board member of Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis, president and board member of Oshkosh Community Players, president of the Oshkosh Lutheran Bowling League, and board member of Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis. He was a member of American Legion Post 70, Finance Officers of Wisconsin Institute, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. His civic activities included fund drives for the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Mercy Hospital, Community Chest, Red Cross and Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh. He also served as a volunteer docent for the Oshkosh Grand Opera House and EAA Museum.Through the Oshkosh Community Players, Mr. Marks directed and acted in community theatre. He also sang in the Apollo Male Chorus in Oshkosh. He wrote several plays, including Interpretation and The Eve Was Christmas, and studied art. Mr. Marks enjoyed painting and sketching, honing a realistic but interpretive style. He particularly liked landscapes, portraits of people and sketches of Europe in the aftermath of war. As outgoing as he was, he had a lot of hidden talents, a private side, said cousin Jeff Gerritt, a columnist and editorial writer for the Detroit Free Press. Even much of his family didnt know how well he could paint and write.After retiring from the city of Oshkosh, Mr. Marks continued to enjoy directing plays, traveling and trips to area casinos with good friend Bob Stoll. Before entering the military, Mr. Marks graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1937 and attended Oshkosh Teachers College. He was born on May 22, 1918, in Oshkosh to Herman Albert Marks and Olivia nee Friedrich Marks. Mr. Marks was godfather to Heidi Kleinhuizen and Michael Berndt.He is survived by several cousins, including Donna (Gerritt) Kleinhuizen and Heidi Kleinhuizen of Oshkosh; Jeff Gerritt of Detroit, Mich.; Dale (Shirley) Stephan of Neenah; Greta (Don) Bahr of Sussex, Wis.; Elaine Stephan of Oshkosh, as well as many friends, including Bob Stoll and neighbors Gary and Beverly Moser of Oshkosh, whose concern and care will never be forgotten. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at Peace Lutheran Church, 240 W. 9th Ave., Oshkosh. Funeral Services will follow at the church, with the Rev. Ralph Hanusa officiating. Graveside services, including full military honors, will take place at Peace Lutheran Cemetery after the funeral. A memorial has been established to Peace Lutheran Church.

Peace Lutheran Church



240 W 9th Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54902

Monday, June 04, 2012
10:00 am to 11:00 am



Peace Lutheran Church



240 W 9th Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54902

Monday, June 04, 2012
11:00 AM



Peace Lutheran Cemetery



100 Waukau Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54902