Alan Wayne Marietta, 70, passed away at home on December 22, 2022. He was born to C. Wayne and Odetta (Long) Marietta on May 10, 1952, in Oberlin, Kansas.
A 1970 graduate of Decatur Community Junior/Senior High School, Alan attended Kansas State University, majoring in accounting. Alan married his high school sweetheart Judith (Schreiber) in Oberlin on August 12, 1972.
Commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army in 1974, Alan served at Ft. Knox, Kentucky; Ft. Carson, Colorado; and Weisbaden Air Force Base, Germany. Alan earned Airborne wings and a Ranger tab in his time in the Army. During his service, Alan earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Serving on the front lines of the Cold War at The Fulda Gap, Germany, Alan forged friendships that have lasted decades with men who served alongside him and their wives who have since settled across the country and supported each other as they raised families and more recently welcomed grandchildren.
Alan and Judy returned from Germany after his discharge in 1979 to establish a homestead in Decatur County. They welcomed three daughters and a son to their home: Loni (Jensen), Leah (Carreño), and twins Bret and Lora.
Since retiring from various professional capacities, Alan enjoyed his 50-yard line "high enough I can see the whole field" football tickets at Bill Snyder Family Stadium; riding his Harley; time spent with his family, grandchildren, and friends; and local and statewide American Legion activities. Alan was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Oberlin, serving in many roles.
Alan was preceded in death by his father, C. Wayne Marietta, and daughter, Lora Elizabeth Marietta. Those left to celebrate his life include his wife, Judith; daughters, Loni of El Dorado, KS and Leah (Travis) of Puyallup, WA; son, Bret (Angela) of Oberlin; granddaughters, Alaxis Jensen and Charlie Marietta and grandsons Liam Carreño and Austin Marietta; his mother, Odetta (Long) of Cañon City, CO; his brother John and his wife Pam of Cañon City, CO; his sister-in-law Marcia Emig and her husband Richard of Goodland, KS and many nephews, nieces, cousins and other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oberlin. Burial with military honors will follow at Oberlin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7:00 pm Tuesday, December 27, at the funeral home with the family greeting friends from 5-7:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 70, or the Lora E. Marietta Scholarship Fund and may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn Ave., Oberlin, KS 67749. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com