Marietta Ohio Obituaries

Let’s talk obituaries. Not the sad, dusty kind. The Marietta, Ohio kind. These little life stories are pure gold.

Death notices? More like life notices

Marietta obits are wild. They tell you if someone loved polka music or collected ceramic frogs. You learn their favorite pie—and their second favorite pie.

One obit mentioned a man who never missed a Tuesday bingo game for 40 years. Another celebrated a woman who could name every flower in Washington County. These aren’t endings—they’re highlight reels.

Quirky facts you didn’t know you needed

Ever wonder what happens to a giant collection of garden gnomes? Marietta obituaries will tell you. “In lieu of flowers, please visit Harold’s gnome display on Front Street.”

People specify their pancake order in these things. “Marion liked her pancakes burnt and her coffee black.” That’s a life detail you don’t forget.

Some obits read like gossip columns. “She outlived three husbands, all named Bob.” Or, “He swore by WD-40 for everything except his dentures.”

Why Marietta in particular?

Marietta is old. Like, “founded in 1788” old. Its obituaries feel like stepping into a time capsule. You get pioneer names like “Zebulon” and “Permelia.”

The Ohio River runs through this town. So do river tales. “He caught a catfish the size of a rowboat near the levee.” That’s not a tall tale—that’s a fact from page A7.

Ohio Magazine recognizes Marietta as a 2026 Best Hometown - Marietta Times

Local traditions pop up too. “The family asks that you wave during the procession, not honk.” Why? Because honking scares the herons. Only in Marietta.

The best parts are the best parts

One obituary noted the deceased was a professional yo-yo competitor in the 1960s. Yes, that’s a thing. Yes, it made the paper.

Another said a man’s favorite hobby was counting the rivets on the bridge. He did it for 50 years. He never finished. That’s commitment.

Don’t get me started on the pets. “She is survived by her parrot, Mr. Pickles, who now swears in Swedish.” How did that happen? The obituary doesn’t explain. It just leaves you curious.

Yes, you should read them

Reading obituaries isn’t morbid. It’s anthropology. You learn what the town values—church picnics, fishing holes, and good pie.

Ohio Magazine recognizes Marietta as a 2026 Best Hometown - Marietta Times

You also get free life advice. “He never met a stranger” is code for “talker.” “She could fix any engine” means “don’t borrow her tools.”

Marietta obits are a community bulletin board for inside jokes. “The family will be serving chili—the spicy kind, not Bob’s bland recipe.” Brutal. I love it.

The takeaway

Next time you’re bored, pull up Marietta Times obituaries. You’ll find a world of garden gnomes, burnt pancakes, and yo-yo champions.

It’s a little weird. It’s a little wonderful. It’s pure Marietta. And honestly? It’s the most fun you’ll have reading about death all day.

So go ahead. Click. Ponder. Maybe learn how to make the perfect rhubarb pie. You’ll find the recipe in an obit.