Marlyn "Mat" Toman

Marlyn “Mat” Toman passed away on August 15, 2023, at Sentara Hospital in Woodbridge, VA. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, ND with Pastor Phil Leer officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

 Marlyn “Mat” was born March 18, 1938, in Mandan, ND, to Emil Edward and Gerda Edla Toman.  He was educated in North Dakota, graduating from Flasher High School in 1955.  Following graduation, he continued his education at Valley City State Teachers College and taught in rural schools in the Flasher and Mandan areas until 1958.

Marlyn married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Barbara Lang “Millie”, in June of 1958 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August of that same year.  His twenty-year service in the computer/information technology field included system analyst assignments at Glasgow AFB (Montana), Elmendorf AFB (Alaska) and Robins AFB (Georgia).  In 1973, Marlyn was assigned to the White House Communications Agency and moved his family to Dale City, Virginia.  His service resulted in many awards and decorations, including two Meritorious Service Awards and awards for Expert Marksmanship.  During this time, he also earned a BA in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University.

Upon his retirement from active service as a Senior Master Sargeant in 1978, Marlyn continued his computer services career as a software engineer in private industry which included providing systems for the Defense Intelligence Agency and Drug Enforcement Administration.

After losing Millie to a brain aneurism in July 1994, Marlyn retired.  He remained in Woodbridge and continued bowling and traveling to visit family until suffering a disabling stroke in September 2002.  In February 2003, Marlyn married Mary Shelby Peters.  With his physical limitations increasing and Mary’s decline due to Alzheimer’s/Dementia, together they moved to an assisted living community in Woodbridge in July 2023.

Marlyn had a terrific sense of humor and very likely invented the “dad joke”.  There are many fantastic tales of the shenanigans and practical jokes in which he was involved either as an instigator or victim. 

A true sports fan, Marlyn enjoyed watching football, basketball and baseball.  He was an avid bowler for many years and only gave it up when his disability made it impossible.  Even then he joined Mary at the lanes and enjoyed cheering for their friends.

Though his physical struggles increased over time, Marlyn never once complained or felt sorry for himself.  He was accepting of his limitations (except for driving).  He had the biggest and softest heart from his humble beginnings to his humble end.  Marlyn had powerful faith in God and was devoted to the Salvation Army in Woodbridge, Virginia, attending services with Mary nearly every Sunday for many years and assisting with fund-raising and supportive efforts.

Marlyn is survived by four children:  Patti Toman Rout (Phillip), Cindi Ferentinos (Steve), Barbara Toman, and Martin Toman (Becky).  He also leaves behind four grandchildren:  April Grimsley (John), Christopher Ferentinos (Marli), Samantha Gruszkowski, Jenn Ferentinos Savage, Matthew Toman and two great-grandchildren: Opal Imogene Ferentinos and Rocco Isaac Ferentinos.

Visitation for local family and friends will be Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 2 – 6 pm at Mountcastle-Turch Funeral Home at 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA.