Marion R. Deppen passed away on June 9, 2026, at The Village at Penn State. Marion was born on November 16, 1927, in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, to Mary (Lenker) and J. Forrest Deppen. He married the love of his life, Winabelle (“Winnie”) Bonawitz of Berrysburg, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 1948. They were married for 77 years prior to her passing in October 2025.
He was preceded in death by his brother, John (Carolyn), and is survived by his brother, George (Elaine), and four nephews and their families. Marion and Winnie’s family includes four children: David Deppen; Mary Beth Holden (Bill); Sandra Baker (Greg); and Robert Deppen (Melanie Bauermaster Deppen). They also leave behind eight grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Marion graduated from Millersburg High School in 1943 at the age of 15. From 1946 to 1947, he served in the U.S. Army as a medic with Headquarters Company, XXIV Corps, during the occupation of Korea. He then attended Penn State University and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics. He went on to earn an M.S. degree in Agricultural Administration from the University of Wisconsin, where he was awarded a Kellogg Fellowship.
He was employed for nearly 36 years with the Penn State University Agricultural Extension Service. For 13 years, Marion served as a County Agricultural Agent in Clinton, Wyoming, and Montgomery Counties. For the remainder of his career, he served as Regional Director in the Southeast and Capitol Regions. He was awarded tenure in 1963.
Marion was a pioneer in farmland preservation. He called the first public meeting on the subject in Montgomery County in 1955 and later served on the Centre County Farmland Preservation Board for 27 years, many of them as Vice Chairman. He was active in the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers organization for 25 years, serving as Executive Secretary and Treasurer. During his leadership, scholarship funding increased dramatically.
Marion was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church. He held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Penn State Chapter of the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, President of the Central Pennsylvania Civil War Roundtable, President of the State College Color Slide Club, and President of the Kiwanis Club, where he was a member for 58 years.
Additionally, Marion was a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, serving six years as a director. He was also a member of the National and Pennsylvania County Agricultural Agents Associations, the Grange for 40 years, and the Pennsylvania Forest Steward Program.
In 1968, he was one of only three Extension employees in the United States to receive the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cost Reduction Award, which was personally presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson. His other honors included being named Honorary Pennsylvania Master Farmer (1987) and Honorary Mid Atlantic Master Farmer. He was also recognized as a “Local Hero” by the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Administrators.
Marion enjoyed genealogy and researching the Deppen family, whose ancestors emigrated from Switzerland in 1736. He joined Winnie in antiquing and participated in The Village Poetry Club. In his later years, he wrote many stories and poems reflecting on his life experiences.
An avid Penn State fan, Marion always kissed his wife, Winnie, to celebrate every touchdown. He also relished gardening, hunting, reading, and spending time with his family. Marion enthusiastically participated in family Christmas plays and gave memorable performances as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Daddy Warbucks.
His strong work ethic, appreciation for nature, and love of learning are dearly remembered by his family. He and his late wife, Winnie, demonstrated a steadfast faith in God that served as a bedrock for their entire family. Marion’s family is grateful for the loving support he received from The Village at Penn State.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner Street, State College, PA 16801.
A celebration of Marion’s life will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner Street, State College, PA. A reception will follow at the church. Burial will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., Bellefonte.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com