The Rev. Dr. Robert Allen Marion, of Waynesboro, formerly of St. Thomas, was transferred to his new residence to be forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday January 11, 2026 at 5:40 PM.

 

Dr. Marion was born to John and Albina Diehl of Honesdale, PA on July 1, 1951. At two days old he was adopted by Arnold and Doris Marion of Midland Park, NJ. He graduated valedictorian from Midland Park Public Schools, and cum laude with a B.A. in history from Bates College, Lewiston, ME. He earned his ministerial specialized license in education and his M.A./Ph.D in education. 

 

Dr. Marion served as teacher assistant, playground supervisor, bus driver, and custodian in the Midland Park (NJ) Public School District, as social studies teacher at Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, NJ, and Arthur Rann School in Absecon, NJ, and as principal of King’s Academy in Wrightstown, NJ. He moved to Chambersburg, PA in 1979 to serve as principal of Bethel Christian Academy, of Central Christian School, and of Adams County Christian Academy in Gettysburg, PA. He worked as a saw mill assistant for Hill & Sons and as a customer service representative for Citi Corp. His last 20 years of employment were as a social studies and English teacher at James Buchanan High School, Mercersburg, PA. Over the course of his career, Dr. Marion established relationships with many of his nearly 4,000 students distinguished by mutual respect. 

 

Dr. Marion enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, taking long mountain hikes, designing, building, and maintaining his home. He loved to travel and as a volunteer he loved making Bible stories come alive for students of St. Thomas Elementary  and Edenville United Methodist Church Good News Club and Mountain View Elementary Bible Adventure. For 7 years, he played the organ for Edenville United Methodist Church. He also loved his many dogs, especially Max who was his shitzu-poodle mix. 

 

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cindy (Hill) of Waynesboro, formerly of St. Thomas, birth brothers, Robert “Bob” (wife Jeanette) Diehl; birth sisters, June Rollison, Leanna (husband Gary) Young; brother-in-law Ronald C. (wife Beverly) Hill, Richard (wife Patricia) Hill, Rodney (wife Deborah) Hill; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins including Faye Dromeshauser. He is also survived by long time friends Gary Geiman, Greg Kalmbacher, Jeff Day, Jim Dromeshauser and Luther Pickles. As well as his caring medical providers, Dr. Peter Wallick, Dr. Jeremy Fieni and Tony Patti.

 

He is preceded in death by his birth parents, John and Albina Diehl and adoptive parents Arnold and Doris Marion; siblings: Nick Diehl, Johnny Diehl, Jerry Diehl, William Diehl, Ann Mohrmann, Lasitta Cole, Diane (Dee) and twins born into heaven. 

 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., 725 Norland Ave., Chambersburg, with Pastor Ray Kipe officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Chambersburg. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO box 3000, Boone NC, 28607.

 

The funeral service will be live-streamed via Zoom with the following meeting information: 

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85671328627?pwd=7n4wZS9egjbWW2zkiraabQitTCj3zs.1

Meeting ID: 856 7132 8627

Passcode: 759776