Charles E. Wilburn, 75, US Steel Furnace Operator

Born September 23, 1927 in Shinston, WV, he has lived in Lorain for the past 50 years.

He worked at Lorain Works US Steel in the bar mill as a furnace operator, retiring in 1985 after 35 years there.

For the past 10 years, he loved to travel to flea markets in Ohio, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina and Arkansas, where he had booths selling marbles and books. He was known by many as the "Marble Man". He also enjoyed roses.

Surviving is his wife of 29 years, Doris (nee Skinner), 4 sons, James E. Brown of Lorain, Denver Brown of Kane, PA, Mark Brown of Lorain, and Jeff Brown of Elyria, daughters, Lila Thomas, of Foster, WV, and Geri Alexander of Salesville, Ohio, 24 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren, brothers, Richard Wilburn of Shinston, WV and Jackie Wilburn of Dallas, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Wilburn, and Leatha (nee Williams) Wilburn, and a sister, Margaret Thomson.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 6th from 7-9 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, where funeral services will be Saturday, December 7, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst, Township.