Like much of his family, Edward William Marlin was born in Keokuk, Iowa. As a young child he contracted Polio and spent two years in an iron lung. Due to the Influenza taking his father in 1920, his mother was left with four young boys and no income. Kathryn & her sister Lizzie, who had also been widowed began a bakery in the neighborhood and she could not care for the sick child. He then lived with his aunt Mary Ann Rea who cared for him and became a sentimental attachment. He made a recovery and walked the remainder of his life with a polio leg. He worked various jobs in his life including driving the city bus and working as the dairy inspector in Iowa/Illinois. He did serve a short term in the Army Air Corp. Ed was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Keokuk, Iowa where he sang at various weddings with the accompaniment of many talented cousins. Music eventually led him to meet his wife Teresa Ada LeMaster when they both performed at a wedding in Washington, Illinois. They married on October 30, 1948 at St. Peters and lived in Keokuk. Their first child was John Edward Marlin, born August 1, 1949. They would later have Kathryn Margaret on April 4, 1951, Barrett Patrick on February 17, 1952, and Philip James who was born with down syndrome. Ed & Ada would make the trip to the far side of Iowa to visit Philip up until their deaths. After Philip, Peter Anthony was born and was followed by Paul Thomas on December 13, 1958 and Mary Ann on March 18, 1961.

Peter died of a rare cancer at the age of 18 and Philip died in 1986 due to a weakened heart condition that is common among down syndrome individuals. John passed away after battling cancer on June 14, 2012 in Keokuk.

In September of 1960, Ed was not feeling well and went towards the dr's office. After passing the toll man on the bridge and no waving, he knew something was wrong with Ed. He then parked an unusual distance from the dr's office and walked the remainder of the way. Ed collapsed on the stairs of the office from a heart attack. He was helped inside to an exam room with the dr and a friend. Ed told them to tell Ada that he wanted another girl, he hoped she had blue eyes and blonde hair and he wanted to name her Mary Ann. Ed then passed away. All of the Marlins were born with brown hair, blue eyes and freckles. However, Mary Ann was born with blonde hair as he had wished and Teresa named her as he had asked.

Ed was interred in the Oakland cemetery near various family members in the Mid-Catholic section not far from where his father and later his mother. Teresa would pass a short 6 years later and be laid to rest beside him.

Ed Marlin was the founder of McNamara's Band of Keokuk, Iowa. With the help of Teresa with transposing, writing music and making costumes, McNamara's Band started as a back yard excuse for the guys to get together and drink beer. In following years they would perform at Busch Gardens while Ed's kids sat with Auggie Busch. Uniforms my grandmother had sewn were thrown out the bus windows on a return trip from the mens distate for the caps and derby style hats. McNamara's Band performed at the Knights of Columbus hall on the third floor for many years, however due to structural issues and cost of maintaining a third floor, it is no longer used, however the ticket booths and stage still remain. The McNamara's Band performs a concert at the Grand Theatre where seats in memory of Ed & Ada are marked, and perform a St. Patrick's Day show at the KC Hall as well. After Ed passed, Teresa's cousin Jack Roan took over leading the band regardless of his inability to read music. McNamara's Band has had three generations of the Marlin family sing, dance or play with it in its 60 years of existence.

Ed Marlin was a beautiful and inspirational man. Giving his whole blessed heart to his wife and children he lived for the love of what life and beauty were. A singer, a father and a friend he was a true Irish soul and a beautiful Irish Tenor