John F. Marley

John Francis Marley of Glenwood, IA went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 30, 2021. He was surrounded by his family during this brief illness and while he passed. John was born March 28, 1932 in Onawa, IA to his parents Dominic S. and Inez (Torticill) Marley. Together with his siblings, the family was raised on a farm southwest of Blencoe, IA.

John graduated from Sioux City’s Heelan High School in 1950. He went on and graduated from Creighton University with a D.D.S. degree in 1957. He then went to the University of Alabama, where he earned an M.S. in Dentistry in 1959. John then assumed a faculty position in Creighton’s School of Dentistry. He served on the Creighton faculty for 38 years, including 22 years as chair of the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology (1961-1974 and 1986-1993).

While in Alabama, he met Bobbie Lou Shirley. John and Bobbie were married in Alabama on February 20, 1960. Together, they had six children: Susie, Tom, Teresa, Greg, Cindy, and Steve.

John was a committed servant and helper to those in need. He spent 2 weeks every summer for about 20 plus years providing dental services to those who were lacking in the Dominican Republic, through Creighton's ILAC program and was a dear member of the "ILAC Family". In addition, he regularly served at the local food pantry. He loved to help anyone in need. He had friends in Glenwood whom he would serve and had a special place in his heart for those who needed help. He was at every event at his church, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Glenwood. He was a well-loved servant in this church. He was always on the go, living and serving in Glenwood. He loved his Knights of Columbus group and was seen every Christmas ringing the bell. Most people don't know all that John did for people because he was a humble and quiet servant.

When he wasn't serving his church and community, he was attending a grandkid event. He never missed a grandchild graduation or big event, and would travel far and near to cheer them on. John also participated with other family members in several RAGBRAI bicycle rides all the way across Iowa, river to river.

John was a committed Blue Jay basketball fan and hardly missed a game in over 60 years. He also enjoyed participating in various choirs for most of his life. He loved music!

John is survived by his children and their spouses: Susie (Richard) Hamilton of Topeka, KS; Tom (Kate) Marley of Lincoln, NE; Teresa (Dave) Johnson of Rapid City, SD; Greg Marley of Golden, CO; Cindy (Amir) Salehi of Airville, PA; and Steve (Kathey) Marley of Omaha.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Rekeisae, Lexie and Tevin Hamilton; Janna and Carmen Marley; Matthew, Andrea, Savannah, and Noah Johnson; Jonah and Julianna Salehi; Kaitlin Marley; and Joshua Ross.

John is also survived by many siblings and their spouses: Agnes (Dave) Craford, Jean Pannuto, Monica Smith, Steve (Audrey) Marley, Jerry (Marge) Marley, and Nan Nalty. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.

John was preceded in death by Bobbie in January 2021; his parents, Dominic (1968) and Inez (1982); three siblings Edward Marley (1938), Catherine (Kay) Quinlan (2005), and Pauline Lamoureux (2011); and five brothers-in-law Paul Quinlan (2013), Walt Lamoureux (2010), Bruno Pannuto (2018), Joseph Smith (1988), and Patrick Nalty (2003).

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Wednesday, 10:30am at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Glenwood, IA. The funeral will be webcast at https://heartstreaming.net/john-f-marley%2C-dds Interment in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Omaha, NE.

VISITATION with the family begins Tuesday, after 6:00pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a WAKE service at 7:00pm.

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Omaha:
6223 Maple Street  PO Box 4520   Omaha, NE 68104
402-554-0520 | catholiccharities@ccomaha.org