Marion E. Wade

American businessman

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July 16, 2026

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Marion E. Wade was an American businessman who founded The ServiceMaster Company. He began his career in 1929 with a mothproofing business. After a chemical accident in 1945 that caused temporary blindness, Wade was inspired to create a company founded on principles of treating employees and customers with dignity and respect, reflecting his religious beliefs.1

The company, initially incorporated as Wade, Wenger and Associates in 1947, was renamed ServiceMaster in 1967. Under Wade's successors, the business expanded significantly, becoming a holding company specializing in home and commercial services such as cleaning, lawn care, and home inspection. ServiceMaster operates globally under various brands and maintains a philosophy that combines economic success with a commitment to ethical business practices.1

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The ServiceMaster Company
…former minor league baseball player Marion E. Wade, who opened a mothproofing business in 1929. After recovering from temporary blindness caused by a chemical accident in 1945, Wade was inspired to create a company that viewed “each employee and customer as being made in God’s image—worthy of dignity and respect.”
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…former minor league baseball player Marion E. Wade, who opened a mothproofing business in 1929. After recovering from temporary blindness caused by a chemical accident in 1945, Wade was inspired to create a company that viewed “each employee and customer as being made in God’s image—worthy of dignity and respect.”
Read More