Orlin Everitt Maritt, a proud veteran of the Army-Air Force passed away Saturday November 5th, 2022 at the age of 97 surrounded by his family.
The son of James Z. Sr. and Opal (Pool) Maritt, Orlin grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was born June 28th, 1925 at his parents’ home in Coffeyville and attended Coffeyville Schools
At the age of 18, Orlin enlisted in the Army-Air Force during World War II. Before he went overseas, he married Pauline Griswold.
He valued this service highly and attained the rank of SGT. As part of this service, he was part of the European theater of operations from 1943 – 1946. He was part of the 94th Bomb Group, 8th Army Air Force. As part of the European Theater, he completed nine missions as a member of a B-17 crew over European Territory. He received 3 medals: Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Air Medal
After returning from the service, he and Pauline made their home in the Coffeyville area eventually moving to rural Wann, Oklahoma. Orlin was a farmer. He and Pauline would go their separate ways but remained friends until her death in 2012. Orlin would later meet and marry Virginia Shere but they would go their separate ways as well. He would meet the love of his life Hazel Smithson and they were married until her death in 2015.
Orlin is survived by two daughters, Catherine Sue Vail and Husband Raymond of rural Wann, Oklahoma. Colleen Palmer and Husband Gerry of Luton, London England;
One Brother: Dean Maritt and Wife Pat of Coffeyville, Kansas; One Sister: Freda Hulet of Edna, Kansas. Two In-Laws: Karan Maritt of Coffeyville and Virginia Maritt of Coffeyville.
Three Grandsons: Raymond Lee Vail, Jr. & Wife Charity of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Jonathan Vail & Wife Motoka of Germany; Kevan Palmer and Wife Zoe of London, England. One Granddaughter: Michelle Gander of London, England.
Five Great Granddaughters: Christina Munguía of Longmont Colorado; Kayano Vail of Pittsburg, Kansas; Marissa Vail of Pittsburg, Kansas; Elaine Harkey of Oklahoma City; Rebecca Gander of Luton, England. Two Great Grandsons: Sawaki Vail of Longmont Colorado; Matthew Gander of Gloucestershire, England and many, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Orlin is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dan, Robert, and James Jr., and one sister Helen.
He was a lifetime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Coffeyville. His loved ones will remember him as a bit of a jokester. He would make everyone laugh in the room. He even did so in his last days. By making his daughters and grandchildren laugh like crazy. He was a man of God. He did his best to teach those principles down to his children and grandchildren.
A service honoring the life of Orlin Everitt Maritt will be held Thursday November 10th at 2pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1001 West 8th St. Coffeyville, Kansas with Pam Peck officiating. The family will receive friends at a visitation Wednesday November 9, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm at David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations can be made through support.woundedwarriorproject.org and they may be left with or sent in care of David W Barnes Funeral Home 306 N Cline Rd Coffeyville, KS 67337.
To share a memory or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.dwbfh.com
David W. Barnes Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with services.
