Sean Christopher Marling's Obituary
Sean Christopher Marling died unexpectedly due to complications related to a diabetic low on August 22, 2025. He will be missed by the many people across the globe impacted by his strength, determination, and integrity.
Sean was born on January 21, 1970, in Columbus, Ohio to Susan Lee Hedrick and J. Roger Marling and grew up in Yucaipa, California and Richmond, Virginia. Inspired by his grandfather, Air Force Colonel Joseph “Duke” Marling, Sean joined the Navy after graduating from high school. He served for ten years and achieved a rank of MM1/SS/DV, specializing in nuclear submarining and diving. During his Navy years, he made particularly enduring friendships with the sailors of the USS Bluefish (SSN-675). In 1992, Sean met the sister of Bill Graham, one of his close friends from Navy A School. On December 27, 1993, Sean married Laurel Frances Graham of Cooperstown, NY. They were devoted life partners for 31 years and raised three children, creating a loving home where hard work, humor, and openness to the world were of highest value.
After leaving the Navy and graduating with a degree in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sean worked for 21 years as an engineer and manager at Caterpillar Inc. Though Sean was based in Decatur, Illinois for most of his career, his job allowed him to travel to six of the seven continents and live for extended periods in Qingdao, China and Düsseldorf, Germany. Always eager to explore different cultures, foods, and languages, Sean treasured the memories and relationships he made abroad, especially in Mexico, India, Indonesia, Germany, and, most of all, China.
Sean returned to Decatur through Caterpillar for the last five years of his life and became a leader within the regional Alcoholics Anonymous community. This past April marked his sixth sober anniversary. Sobriety transformed Sean’s life, drawing him deeper into his faith and allowing him to grow in selflessness, vulnerability, and peace.
Sean’s first and greatest love was cycling. Seemingly born to ride, he received his first tricycle at 15 months, won his first race at four, and at seven, graduated to the first of many meticulously-cared-for racing bikes. As a young man, he harnessed his incredible physical abilities to become an endurance cyclist and runner, and the best hours of his life were spent on these pursuits. He participated in countless races, including four Iron Man triathlons, and most recently, the Pinetum Mind Games 24-hour race. An immense source of pride for him was the Sean Marling Memorial Cyclocross Series (SMMCS), a racing series founded by friends and fellow riders in Decatur after his move to China which celebrates his indomitable and spirited approach to the sport.
Sean was an idiosyncratic and intense individual. He spoke incredibly slowly. He enjoyed listening and dancing wildly to techno, punk, and New Wave music. He was good at making pizza and bread (but not much else). He had a knack for Scrabble, Pictionary, and cards. He cultivated a unique sense of style. He spent hours bodysurfing in oceans around the world and had a passion for soccer (or as he would prefer to call it, football). He did his best to be a good person.
His is preceded in death by his father, Roger Marling; aunt, Kathy Morton; and both sets of grandparents, including his beloved grandmother Patricia Hedrick. He is survived by his mother, Susan Marling, and sister, Shannon Marling, both of Richmond, VA; his children, Jacob Marling of Madison, WI, Bryn Marling of Brooklyn, NY, and Owen Marling of Cooperstown, NY; and the mother of his children and lifelong support, Laurel Graham Marling. We are devastated by his loss and hope his life of adventure will motivate others to push themselves and be of service to those around them.
We are so grateful for the kindness, profound love, and stories shared by his friends from A.A., the Navy, cycling, and Caterpillar over the past week. Our gratitude also extends to the Decatur Memorial Hospital ICU and fourth floor medical ward staff for their gentleness and expert care. A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, August 31 from 12–4 pm at the Hickory Point Township Hall (2335 West Mound Road, Decatur).
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