MARION TIMOTHY SPILLER's Obituary
Marion “Tim” Spiller
Age 89, of Redlands, passed away at home in Redlands on Oct. 1 surrounded by family. Tim was born Feb. 13, 1920 in Van Meter, Iowa and was the youngest child of the Rev. Edwin and Elizabeth Cameron Spiller. He graduated from East High in Des Moines, Iowa and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1939 to 1945. He was on Midway Island for 18 months as a member of the 6th Defense Battalion and was manning anti-aircraft guns when the island was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941; he fought through the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. As a member of Regimental Weapons, 23rd Regiment, 4th Marine Division, he participated in the landings of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He was discharged in Oct. 1945 with the rank of Corporal. Within the last year Tim completed a book for family and friends documenting his experiences. He titled it One Marine’s Story – From Teenager to Seasoned Veteran. In the forward he wrote, “I take no credit for surviving and returning home without as much as a simple wound. It was the people who were on their knees both day and night praying for my safe return that made my survival possible.” Following his discharge Tim returned to Iowa where he met Margaret Swan, an Iowa Lutheran Hospital nursing school graduate. After their 1947 marriage, the couple moved to California. A Whittier College graduate, Tim taught in the San Bernardino City Unified School District from 1953 to 1981, and following his retirement, substituted for the Redlands Unified School District until 2 years ago. He was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association. He also received a Masters in Theology from Melodyland Christian Center. In 1981, Tim and Margaret established a clown ministry as Zo-Zo and Muggett. Among those they ministered to were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons. Tim was active in Redlands’ Great Y Circus where he taught clowning and was a member of the Clowns of America. He was an active member of the Amethyst Bible Church in Mentone, California where he served as Pastor to Seniors for several years and was a member of United Evangelical Churches. Tim had been a resident of Redlands since 1964. Prior to that, the family lived in San Bernardino for 11 years. Earlier this year Tim retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol – California Wing-San Bernardino Senior Squadron 5 following a nearly 30 year career as the squadron’s chaplain. During his career he received the California Wing Chaplain of the Year three times, the Pacific Region Chaplain of the Year, and the Chaplain Sammy Campos Award for Excellence. He also served for several years as the chaplain for American Legion Post 106 in Redlands. He was a member of the 4th Marine Division Association, the Defenders of Midway organization, and the San Bernardino Vet Center World War II-Korean War Support Group. Survivors include son, Steven Spiller (Juli) of Redlands, daughters Kristine Smith (Don) of Visalia, California, Martha Kelley (Martin) of Milwaukie, Oregon, five grandchildren-Andrew (Rebecca), Philip and Kathleen Smith, and Timothy and Joseph Kelley, and one great grandchild-Josiah Smith. His wife of nearly 60 years, Margaret, passed away in March 2007. Tim never met a stranger and always had a story or two to share. He was a friend to many over the years. His heart for children never waned and was a man of integrity. Burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area #4 at 11:45 a.m. on Fri., Oct. 9 with full military honors. A celebration of life will be held at the Amethyst Bible Church, 1325 Amethyst, Mentone, CA 92359 on Sat., Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Amethyst Bible Church, the Redlands Community Hospital Hospice Program, c/o Redlands Community Hospital Foundation, 350 Terracina Blvd., Redlands, CA 92373 or the Civil Air Patrol - San Bernardino Senior Squadron 5, 6651 A Gemende Dr., Riverside, CA 92504.
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