Roger Willliam Marshall

ROGER WILLIAM MARSHALL

Roger W. Marshall, 88, of Sand Point, died Sunday July 12, 2026 in the comfort of his home. He was born July 13, 1937 in Sault St. Marie to John William and Mabel “Mickie” (McKee) Marshall. He married Linda Mae Tunstall on June 16, 1962 in Troy.

Roger graduated from Cass City High School in 1955. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Roger served in the United State Air Force from 1960 to 1966, where he was stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base. A pilot, he actively flew from 1973 to 2001.

In 1964, Roger and his father purchased a John Deere farm implement dealership, located in Cass City. With the increasing popularity of snowmobiling and his active racing, Roger saw a need for snowmobile parts and accessories to meet the needs of local riders. Then in 1968, Marshall Plastic Company was formed. Plastic windshields, tracks, etc. were manufactured in a shed behind the existing Marshall Implement Company. In 1969, the first catalog was issued to snowmobile dealers. In 1973, they ventured into motorcycle parts and accessories. Later in 1982, ATV parts and accessories, and then in 1988 came personal watercraft parts and accessories. Marshall Distributing was an industry leader in the distribution of aftermarket parts and accessories for motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, and personal watercraft. With over one hundred, thousand-part numbers, Marshall Distributing was dealer direct, and did not sell to the general public.

Warehouse expansion became the next step for Marshall Distributing Inc., with the addition of their Clifton Park, NY location in 2004 to better serve their East Coast customers. In 2009, they opened a warehouse in Sparks, NV; and explored additional warehouse locations. They continued to research and add new products to their impressive inventory to bring a wide array of products to best satisfy their customers. In 2014, Roger sold Marshall Distributing, Inc.

Roger was very active in the Cass City community. He was a member of the Cass City Lions Club, then switched to the Cass City Rotary Club and became a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of Cass City United Methodist Church, where he was also baptized. Roger was Cass City Citizen of the Year in 2001. He also served as a chairman and a board member of Hills & Dales General Hospital from 1994 to 2004.

Roger was an avid MSU Spartan fan and attended many football and basketball games for over twenty years. His many hobbies included racing snowmobiles, riding motorcycles, entertaining friends and family, golfing, boating, traveling, swimming, and playing bridge or euchre. Roger spent time with his friends at the Sand Point Club, including the Sand Point Men’s nights. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed entertaining, cooking, and barbequing. Roger was always fond of trying new recipes. He looked forward to traveling with friends and planning family trips – including a week on a ranch in Wyoming just four weeks prior to his death. Roger made a hobby of finance and the stock market which he was actively involved with. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing games, teaching them about everything, and telling lots of stories.

Roger is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Linda; his children: Jeanne (Paul) Huddleston, Kathy (Greg) Sims; grandchildren: Jessica Huddleston, Sarah (Andrew) VanVliet, Martin Huddleston, Allison (Nicholas) Kramer, Alaina Sims; great grandchildren: Kehlani Smith, Azalea Daniels, Kyro Daniels; his in-laws: Craig (Liz) Tunstall, Sandi (Rockie) Brandenburg; nephews: Matt (Jami) Tunstall, Chris (Alissa) Brandenburg, Kevin (Brenda) Tunstall, Shawn (Lauren) Brandenburg. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026 in Cass City United Methodist Church with Pastor Julie Wakeham officiating. In lieu of flowers, the Marshall family has requested that memorials be considered to Cass City Promise.

Visitation: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026 in Cass City United Methodist Church

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City