Obituary - Joe R. Marble, 88

Joe was the fourth and last child born to James and Evelyn (Robbins) Marble. He was born on February 6, 1914. He has one thing in common with Mickey Mantle as both of them were born at Commerce, Oklahoma, a small town in the northeast corner of that state.

Joe passed away September 1, 2002 at the Prowers medical Center in Lamar at the age of 88 years, 7 months.

He grew up in the hills of Oklahoma obtaining his education in the scattered, small schools in that area. At the age of 16, Joe and his two brothers, Everett and Raymond along with his mother and step-father traveled in two covered wagons for northeast Oklahoma across the southern state of Kansas in the month of February to their home site 10 miles south of Sheridan Lake, Colorado. The arrived at this home site on March 15, 1930.

Joe often talked to his family about the trip. He tells how lucky they were to have good weather on the trip, but the very next day after arriving in Colorado he saw his first big snowstorm.

While growing up in the Sheridan Lake area, he joined up with the Colorado Conservation Corp in order that his family could receive $25.00 a month – sent home pay, and he was allotted $5.00. This time was spent in Dolores, Colorado working in the forest area.

On September 15, 1941, he was united in marriage to Mary Osborn in Tribune, Kansas. To this union two children were born Alta and Joe.

In the fall of 1942, he was inducted in the United States Army where he served his country. Following a few months in the states for basic training, he was sent overseas to the Asian Theatre. There his time was spent with his unit at the base of the Ledo Road in Burma. Joe was honorably discharged on January 8, 1946. During Joe’s enlistment, he was awarded the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

After returning home, Joe tried farming for two years and when this didn’t work out he sold his cattle and gave up farming and obtained employment on the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Chivington, Colorado in January of 1949 and worked there until he retired.

He enjoyed living in Chivington and has lived there for the past 53 years. Joe was an avid sportsman. He loved to fish and hunt and would always have a good story to tell about the good times spent with his family and his friends. Joe is a member of American Legion Post No. 125 at Eads and held a lifetime membership in the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way, AFL.

Preceding him in death was his mother, his father, and stepfather, Charles Hutchinson, his two brothers, Everett and Raymond Marble and his sister, Alta Robinson. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mary of the family home, his two children Alta (Don) McBee and their family of Lamar, and Joe (Karen) Marble and their family of Lamar. A cousin, Barbara (Jim) Pees and family of Miami, Oklahoma; a niece, Joyce (Clarence) Mays and family of Chivington, Colorado; a nephew, Everett (Evelyn) Marble and family of Chivington, Colorado. Also numerous other relatives and friends also survive.

A private family graveside service was held on September 4, 2002 at the Fairmount Cemetery. Joe’s friend, Richard Bolinger gave comforting words and led the family in prayer at the gravesite. A special tape selection of "His Hand in Mine," recorded by Donna Heddles was played to the family gathered at the cemetery. A playing of taps concluded services followed by the American Flag being presented to Joe’s wife, Mary.

Services were under the direction of the Peacock Family.