On the morning of Thursday, February 9 ^th , surrounded by loved ones, Joe quietly drifted from us at the age of 79. Joe married his high school sweetheart on April 24, 1965, and together they raised four wonderful children. They were blessed with five beautiful grandchildren, and another precious little one arriving in August.

Being a man of many diverse interests with a tireless mind, Joe was well accomplished in the arts of metal engraving, wood carving, oil painting, knife making, furniture making, carpentry and masonry.  He enjoyed boating, deep-sea fishing, traveling in his bus and operating his bulldozer.

In his younger days, he was involved with Karate, Ju-Jitsu, competed in Judo and boxed with Golden Gloves.

As a lifelong academic, he earned many degrees from the University of Louisville, including his Juris Doctor from the Louis Brandeis School of Law, a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, several Associate Degrees and was working toward a Master of Education degree.  Joe was a member of the honor societies of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He was named Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities (UofL 1974). Joe also held memberships with the Kentucky Bar Association, Louisville Bar Association, Catholic Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys, Kentucky Real Estate Commission, Kentucky Board of Auctioneers, Buechel-Fern Creek Jaycees, Loyal Order of Kentucky Colonels and many others. He also served as Loaned Executive for Metro United Way.

As an attorney, practicing for over 40 years, he was a fierce advocate for his clients. Joe was devoted to exhaustive trial preparation and had a particular passion for delivering closing arguments. Before his legal career, Joe was an insurance agent with National Life & Accident and worked as a tax accountant with the L&N Railroad.

Joe leaves his loving wife of 57 years, Rita; their children, Teresa Marshall-Bland (Kevin), Pamela State (Timothy), John "JJ" Marshall (Parvathy) and Heather Marshall.  Also missing him are his grandchildren, Logan, Colton and Hannah State, Braelyn Bland and Jaden Marshall.

The family wants to express their deepest appreciation to Brittany and the team at Hosparus Health for their care and dedication over the past few months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, February 20 ^th , at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, with Fr. Bill Hammer presiding. Visitation is Saturday, February 18 ^th , 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Sunday, February 19 ^th , 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Fern Creek Funeral Home.  Burial will take place at Resthaven Memorial Park at the conclusion of Mass.  A reception is planned following interment.