Jay Ira Marble, age 89, of Mio, Michigan, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, great, great grandfather, United States Air Force Veteran, neighbor, and friend passed away at his home on December 10, 2021.
He was born, the youngest of nine and just after his twin brother Ray, in Durand, Michigan on December 15, 1931. From an early age he preferred hands-on work and being outside instead of sitting in a schoolroom.
In his typical rebellious fashion, he opted to travel to Texas and complete his Basic Training instead of going on his graduating class’s senior trip. Soon after he graduated from Rose City High School in 1950, he joined the United States Air Force where he faithfully served our country for four years – two of which, during the Korean war, were served in Anchorage, Alaska.
While still serving in Anchorage, he courted his soon to be wife, Macel Bissland of Mio, Michigan long distance through many letters and postcards. They were married, after his service in the Air Force, in 1954, and lived on a small farm in Rose City, Michigan. They finally moved to Mio in 1963, on Mt. Tom, where she grew up, and they established a new home together along with their four children.
Jay loved working in the woods. For many years he ran a logging operation – later, his two sons Dennis and Jamie worked in the woods along with him. While industrial equipment was frequently needed in the woods, he often tried to find any excuse he could to incorporate his other love: horses. From working up the garden, spreading manure on the fields, going for cart rides or the long anticipated annual Christmas family sleigh rides, Jay loved his horses – especially his draft horses. His enthusiasm and passion for horses carried on through almost all that met him, and it paved the way for several of his grandchildren’s interests as well.
In his later years, after retiring from the woods, he purchased a sawmill and learned how to saw and dry his own lumber. His final log house was even constructed primarily from his own sawed lumber and featured beautiful hardwood flooring that came from his woods. As he grew older, he also felt a deeper connection with his ancestry and traveled to Ireland on four separate occasions. Each time, he would come back to his home on Mt. Tom with a twinkle in his eye, stories to tell, souvenirs to share, and plans for the next time he could travel back to Ireland.
Anyone that encountered Jay also knows that he was a major rockhound and pudding stone enthusiast. One of his largest projects was an ever-growing mortar and rock wall in front of his house along his driveway. He was frequently seen traveling down the road in his John Deere tractor transporting rocks or out in fields picking rocks by hand. When visiting him, you could be sure that he always had a pudding stone…or two…in his pocket that he was more than eager to show-off.
Jay is survived by his four children: Dennis (Karen) Marble of Fairview, Kathy (Mike) Wonfor of Comins, Jamie (Sherri) Marble of Mio, and Karen (Jim) Yoder of Mio. He also regretfully leaves behind his dear friend Nancy Toman, 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and one great, great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Marble; his mother, Annie (O’Hare) Marble; his 8 siblings, Harry, Ella, Wilma, Theresa (Tess), Farrah (Jess), Ruth, Beth, and twin brother Ray; his great grandson, Justin Ray Yoder; and his loving wife, of 41 years, Macel E (Bissland) Marble.
Visitation for Jay will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and then from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
The service will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the Tripoint Church of God, Mio, MI, starting at 12:00 to 1:00 PM for visitation. Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jody Coon officiating, with Military Honors following. Interment at Kittle Cemetery, Mio, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for all donations to go to Compassus Hospice of Atlanta, MI: https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/give/
