Major Gail E. Marion, USAR, SC, Ret, 64, was ordered to duty in heaven on December 15, 2016. MAJ Marion was the daughter of the late Ralph and Norma Nyberg, Roanoke, Illinois. She was born May 31, 1952 in Bloomington, Illinois; grew up in Roanoke, Illinois and made Jacksonville, Florida her permanent home since 1973. MAJ Marion's love of country and sense of duty had her serving 27 years total military service as an Enlisted service member and a Commissioned Officer. Major Marion first entered active duty Army as a Private in 1970 and served with the Army Signal Corps. She served in the U.S. Army as a WAC; Florida Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve and retired June 2000. MAJ Marion was the first female commissioned as an Officer from the University of North Florida, Advanced Army ROTC Program as a 2LT on March 18, 1978.Major Marion was highly decorated and was extremely proud of her accomplishments, which include the Army Achievement Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Marksman Qualification Badge M-16, and Army National Guard Recruiter's badge. Ms. Marion also retired from the City of Jacksonville-Public Library with 27 years of service. She had also been employed as a librarian by Everest University since November 2006. Ms. Marion earned her Bachelor of Arts in U.S. History at the University of North Florida in 1978 and her Masters of Library and Information Sciences from Florida State University in 1985. She was a member of the Lakewood United Methodist Church. Other affiliations include National Guard Officers Association, Reserve Officers Associations, Adjutant General Regimental Corps Association, American Library Association, Jacksonville FSU Booster Club, Republican National committee, Florida Paleontological Society, Florida Striders Track Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Historical Society, Jacksonville Gen and Mineral Society and Cat Lovers of America.Survivors include her brother Gary Nyberg (Suzanne) of Spokane, WA; brother Glen Nyberg of Deming, New Mexico; sister, Gloria Kelley (Robert) of Bloomington, Illinois and nephew Christopher Kelley. The Nyberg/Kelley/Marion family will receive friends 4PM-6PM, Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384. A Graveside service will be held 1:30 PM, Friday, December 23, 2016 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218 with Chaplain David Brackin officiating. The United States Army will render full military honors in recognition to Major Gail E. Marion's service to the United States of America, a grateful nation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Safe Animal Shelter of Orange Park, Inc., P.O. Box 65597, Orange Park Florida 32065 in honor of all Gail's beloved pets or the Women's Army Corps Veteran's Association, Chapter #56, Jacksonville, Florida in honor of her beloved comrades; The American Red Cross, Family Relief Fund for fallen soldiers; Beaches Friends of The Jacksonville Public Libraries and the USO.