It is with great rejoicing that the family of Benjamin Russell Markley of Joplin announce his heavenly home-going on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the age of 95 years.
His salvation at the age of 12 at Forest Park Baptist Church was used by God to spark an extended revival. At 16, Ben taught a Sunday school class of rowdy boys, prodding him to study his Bible and learn to reach his pupils' hearts through spending time with them outside church.
Thus began his lifelong commitment to serving the Lord in many capacities (including lay preacher, song leader, and teacher), traveling to minister in more than 100 churches in the four-state area. He also served as a Child Evangelism Fellowship director for ten years. He worked full-time at Sebastian Equipment Company and then Joplin Supply Company for many years, enabling him to support his family and God's work financially.
He was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Anna (Lamb) Markley; his brothers John and Ray; his sister, Mary (Leonard) White; and in 1999, by his wife Vivian (Rhoades), with whom he served the Lord for more than half a century; and later, three great-grandbabies.
He will be remembered with thanksgiving by his children Nancy (Harold) Lyon of Lincoln, NE, Ben (Becky) of Perris, CA, Susan (Stan) Myers of Kansas City, KS, and Dan (Patty) of Joplin, MO. His heritage is also a blessing for his 19 grandchildren Mark (Miranda) Lyon, Rebecca (Scott) Essink, Matthew Lyon, Jonathan (Naomi) Lyon, Samuel (Nicole) Lyon,Timothy (Vanessa) Lyon; Ben (Laurie) Markley, Christy (Joey) Elliott, Tiffany (Kyle) Johnston, Lindsay (Kevin) Winterton, Josh Markley; Jessica (Noah) Nilges, Kevan (Deana) Myers, Bryan Myers; David (Tamara) Markley,Logan (Amelia) Markley, Channing (Patrick) Paxton, Janssen Markley, Miranda Markley; and his 34 great-grandchildren: Scotty, Nick, Grayson, Ella, Emma, Wesley, Olivia, Clara, Braydon, Madison, Benjamin, Landon, Austin, Savannah, Joseph, Tyson, Toren, Kamden, Parker, Jane, Rosemary, Nathan, Baby Nilges, Tirzah, Edward, Philip, Isobel, Henry, Caleb, Cloey, Ian, Josiah, and Everett.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 13, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, 602 S. Byers, in Joplin. Funeral services are Wednesday, August 14, at 11:00 a.m. at the mortuary with Pastor Ben Markley officiating. Burial will follow at Osborne Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Bible League International, 1 Bible League Plaza, Crete, IL 60417, 1-866-825-4636, or online at www.info@bibleleague.org.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
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