John Marshall

John L. Marshall, 70, of Van Wert, passed away at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at 5:07 p.m. after a courageous, hard-fought, three-year battle with colon cancer. John was born on Aug. 3, 1946, to the late John C. and Evelyn (Froney) Marshall.

On May 12, 1990, he married Therese (Jacobs) Marshall who survives. Other survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Karri) Marshall of Centerville, Ohio, and Jason (Niki) Krol of Decatur, Indiana, two daughters, Dawn Marshall of Cary, North Carolina, and Lisa (Ron) Schomaeker of Payne, Ohio. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Hoover of Abbeville, Louisiana; his brother-in-law, Anthony (Jennifer) Jacobs of Pickerington, Ohio; his mother-in-law, Carmen Jacobs of Van Wert, and six grandchildren, London Marshall; Bailey, Macee and Dodger Krol, and Shayla and Kellen Schomaeker. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Claude Hoover; his sister-in-law, Rosemary Hegemier; twin nephews, Lyle and Kyle Hoover, and three brothers by heart: Carl Booher, Spike Haines and Bob Germann.

John enjoyed spending time with his family and his little puppy, Princess. He also enjoyed riding his Harleys, taking his 1965 Buick Gran Sport to car shows, going to flea markets, building model cars, and going to the shooting range. He always looked forward to his annual trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with his wife. John had a great sense of humor and was quite a talker. He was always there to lend a hand or give advice when people needed him and that is why he will be missed by many.

He organized and ran many car shows in the Van Wert area. John and his wife were grand marshals for the 2015 Peony Parade. People always wanted a copy of John's famous sloppy joe recipe which he served at several events over the years. He retired from Eaton-Aeroquip in 2008 after 37 years of service. John retired from the Ohio National Guard as a Sergeant First Class after 20 years of service. He received the Army Commendation Medal in 1989.

John served as First Ward Councilman for the City of Van Wert from January 2008 to September of 2016 and he was very instrumental in getting the town cleaned up. He had served on the Solid Waste Management Board, the Woodland Cemetery Board, the Hot Air Festival Committee, the Peony Festival Committee and the Wheels and Wings Committee.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6034, American Legion Post 178, Van Wert County Outdoorsmen Association, Tri State Gun Collectors Club and the National Rifle Association. He was a 1964 graduate of Van Wert High School. John was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church where he served as an usher.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. A Rosary service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Van Wert. Father Stanley Szybka and Father Charles Obinwa will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be performed by combined units of the Van Wert American Legion and V.F.W. posts.

Preferred memorials are to the Van Wert Fire Department, the Van Wert County Humane Society or the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.