MARLEY, Joe 1969-2015

MARLEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/7/2015 at 18:50:41

Joe Marley, 46, of Ferryville, Wisconsin, died peacefully at home surrounded by family June 28, 2015.

Joe was born April 23, 1969, to Dave and Joan Marley. He grew up on the family farm in rural Riceville, where he and his siblings spent many hours outside doing chores, playing in the barn and exploring the creek. He graduated from Riceville High School in 1988.

Joe then attended Winona State. He played baseball for Winona State and also played for the Winona Chiefs during the summer. He graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Joe married the love of his life, Sharon, on June 4, 1994. After a year of substitute teaching, Joe and Sharon joined the U.S. Peace Corps and went to Niger, West Africa. Over the next four years, Joe led innovations in the agri-forestry program in Peace Corps Niger, and he changed the methodologies used to teach improved farming practices. During his last two years in Niger, Joe taught over 85 volunteer trainees in instructional methodologies, cultural sensitivity and day-to-day living in Niger.

In 1999, Joe and Sharon returned back to the U.S. and moved to Alaska. During the summers of 1999, 2000, and 2001, Joe managed the Russian River Ferry in Cooper Landing, Alaska. In the fall of 1999, he began working for the Yukon-Koyukuk School district as a generalist teacher, working with students in grades 5-12.

In 2001, Joe became principal/teacher of the Ella B. Vernetti School in Koyukuk, Alaska. From 2001 to 2004, Joe led an academic program that integrated traditional life styles (hunting, fishing, trapping) with a rigorous academic program. It was for his work as principal/teacher that he earned the 2003-04 Small School Principal of the Year Award from the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals.

While working as the principal/teacher in Koyukuk, Joe identified a need for distance delivery courses for low-level readers. During the Christmas break of the 2002-03 school year, he began developing online courses for students who were not successful in the traditional classroom setting.

In 2004, Joe, Sharon, and their children moved back to the Midwest to be closer to family. From 2004 until his death, Joe taught students in Alaska via video-conference while continuing to develop the Alaska Independent Distance Education, which currently serves more than 300 students from across the U.S., offering them a choice of 21 courses.

In 2009, Joe earned his Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse.

Joe was a man of unique and unmatched character. While great character is revered by many, it’s achieved by few. Joe was one of those few. He championed the needs of others above himself. His contributions to the lives of others were infinite. Thousands of villagers, students, colleagues and friends have benefited from Joe’s creative mind, endless curiosity, constant pursuit of knowledge, and his fun-loving spirit. From changing farming practices in Africa, improving the education of rural Alaska students, and lovingly designing and building a home and farm in rural Wisconsin, where everyone is welcomed, Joe was always helping others.

Being with his wife, children, and extended family and spending time working on his farm were his “slice of Heaven.” He could always be found tinkering outside, designing his next project, or entertaining his children with each new endeavor.

Through the past 14 months, he fought to survive cancer with an incredibly positive attitude, courageous spirit and unbelievable strength. Every day of his life was defined by his service to others. His devotion to bettering others’ lives is his enduring legacy. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon; his children, Sam (16), Charley (14) and Maria (9); siblings, Jim Marley (Cathy), Sara Grimm (Jeff), Jerry Marley (Kari), John Marley (Karla), Jay Marley (Julie); foster sister, Deb Prescott (Gale); Kris Matuza, Joe Matuza (Emily), Jeff Matuza (Dawn), Dan Matuza (Hallie); 13 nephews; and 8 nieces.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Genoa. After the services, there will be a party to celebrate Joe’s life at Marley Hollow, (Joe and Sharon’s house).