Joseph Ward Marling

Mr. Joseph Ward Marling Mr. Joseph (Joe) Ward Marling, age 89, entered into eternal life of Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the VA Nursing Home, Walsenburg, Colorado. An Oklahoma native, Joe was born on July 2, 1922 in Bartlesville. He was the son of the late Ben and Delphia Marling. He received his diploma at Bartlesville Senior High School and furthered his education at The Baptist Bible Institute of Florida in Lakeland, Florida. Joe was a World War II veteran who proudly served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946. Mr. Marling lived for a short time in California before returning to Oklahoma. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Marling was employed by the Bartlesville Independent School District for 37 years. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Marling was working at Hoover Elementary School. Mr. Marling was a member of the Highland Park Baptist Church of Bartlesville, where he was active as a member, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. Joe especially loved his work with the youth group and is fondly remembered by many as “Grandpa Joe”. His life was guided by his love of the Lord. Despite worsening dementia in recent years, Joe could still recite many of his favorite scriptures. In 2001, he moved to Colorado to be closer to family. The family wishes to thank the staff at the VA Nursing Home where he received patient, loving care these past five years-and where they kept him supplied with his favorite sweets, especially chocolate bars. Surviving Mr. Marling are two nephews, Michael J. Hess and his wife Caryn of Taos, New Mexico and Laurence A. Hess of Dayton, Tennessee, three great-nephews, Steven M. Hess, Kyle R. Hess, Brian D. Hess, one great niece, Kimberly C. Hess, his sister-in-law Wilma Marling, and a host of friends, especially, Joe and Jodi Beffer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Henry (Hank) W. Marling and his sister Betty J. Hess. A graveside funeral services for Mr. Marling will be held at 2 P.M. on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville with Pastor Matt Smith of the Immanuel Baptist Church at Blackwell, Oklahoma officiating. Full military rites will be accorded at the graveside by the James H. Teel American Legion Post # 105 and funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial fund has been established and those who wish may send their contributions to the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home-Walsenburg, ATTN: Sherry Kraxberger, 23500 US Highway 160, Walsenburg, Colorado, 81069. PDF Printable Version

Joseph Ward Marling

July 2, 1922 - March 31, 2012