Joan Marlene Marshall

Joan Marlene Marshall, 85, of Fort Walton Beach, FL passed away on July 8, 2021 at her home surrounded by family.  She has been a resident of Fort Walton Beach since 1959, and was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church. She was born on November 9, 1935 in Waukegan, IL. She was the daughter of Adwell Dean Gobler and Ruby Ruth Roman Gobler. She graduated from Deland High School in 1953. She was married to John F. Marshall, Sr. “Jack” on July 12, 1954 in De Leon Springs, FL.  Joan began her career as the personal secretary to the base commanding general at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. After the birth of her first child, Joan became a stay-at-home mother and grandmother.

Joan loved playing the piano, a hobby she shared with her grandchildren. She was an avid Cubs fan originating from her days in Chicago. Joan had a flair for fashion that was demonstrated by her ability to assemble a matching outfit from her hairband to her shoes. She became an extraordinary seamstress, sewing many of her own garments throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John F Marshall Sr. “Jack” of Fort Walton Beach, her children: Ann Amelse (Michael), Nancy Walton (Skip), and John F. Marshall Jr. (Lisa), her beloved grandchildren: Katharine Collins (Tim), Robert Lanier Walton IV “Robby”, John F. Marshall III “Trey” (Sarese), Aubrey Danielle Walton, Briana Amelse, Jacob Amelse, and Jesse Amelse, and her great-grandchildren: Karis Collins, Trace Marshall, Alexander Tani, and Lucas Jackson; she is also survived by her cousin Roger Jackson (Barbara) of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, her niece Jeanie Godwin (Larry), and her nephew Jack Deason of De Leon Springs, Florida. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Gregory Allen Marshall. The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 5-7 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 110 Saint Mary Ave, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, at 1:30 PM on Thursday, July 15, 2021, celebrated by Fr. Doug Martin. A private burial service will be held at Beal Memorial Cemetery following the funeral Mass. The family would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for the loving care of their mother.

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