Former Wells Manufacturing Chairman Passes Away

Marshall (Marsh) K. Wells, former chairman of the board of Wells Manufacturing Co., Woodstock, IL, passed away June 3, after a long illness. Wells Manufacturing is the parent company of Dura-Bar, the world’s largest producer of cast-iron bar stock; Duro-Life, a precision machine shop for cast-iron, steel, and other ferrous and nonferrous products; and Midwest Alloys, a supplier of Dura-Bar and other continuous-cast products. Marsh is survived by his wife of 51 years, the former Sue Monteith, and their three children, and five grandchildren. He also leaves behind two sisters, Doris Duesing and Charlotte Morean. Marsh Wells spent over 50 years developing and expanding Wells Manufacturing Co., a business founded by his father more than 60 years ago as an iron castings manufacturer. It was later known as Castwell Products. Having succeeded his father, Marsh Wells established the company’s current, multidimensional organization. His youngest son, Tom, was named president of the corporation in 1999, CEO in February 2005, and continues as chairman of the family-owned business since Marsh Wells’ retirement in 2008. Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He was a past director of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Assn., past director of the Chicago Chapter of the American Foundry Society, and past president of the Skokie Valley Industrial Assn., later known as the Northern Illinois Industrial Assn. He was a well-known philanthropist in Woodstock over the past three decades. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, IL on Tuesday June 9 at 10:00 AM. Internment will be private.