He was born in 1930 to Frank E. and Myrtle M. (Fuller) Marley in Santa Ana, CA. Being deeply religious, he started in the seminary, but the Korean War deflected him to provide service to his country and he joined the Army in 1952. He had great “people” skills so he worked in personnel. He and his high school sweet heart Myrtle Charlene Hill also decided to get married at the same time. They shared a simple military life at Ft Ord, CA, in beautiful Monterey Bay.
In 1955 he started working for State Farm in Southern California, beginning a 30+ year career with State Farm.
He had three children, David, Daniel, and James in the late 1950s. The family moved with State Farm to Lincoln, NE where he developed his loyal following of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. In Nebraska he enjoyed travelling, camping, and fishing with his family and friends.
The family moved to Bloomington, IL in 1970 as he took on more responsibility in the Data Processing area of State Farm. He loved computers and technology. He and Charlene retired back to southern California in 1985, but he continued to do Data Processing Consulting work for State Farm. He enjoyed his retired life in southern California immensely for 20 years.
Seeking to be closer to family in advancing years, Dick and Charlene moved back to Bloomington in 2005. Dick remained very active with his church and church choir at First Presbyterian, the Kiwanis organization, and State Farm Retirees. He was the “go-to” guy if family or friends needed computer help.
In 2017, age and illness with kidney cancer overtook him and he entered Heritage Health Nursing facility.
The loves of his life were his wife and family, any dog he ever met, singing choral music, his church, the great outdoors, the desert southwest, computers and technology, the Cornhuskers and good food.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Donald Marley.
He is survived by his wife; three sons David Marley of Normal, Daniel (Sheri) Marley of Bloomington, and James (Michelle) Marley of Chicago; two granddaughters Eva and Elizabeth Marley; one grandson Samuel Marley; one step-grandson Andrew Bates; and two step-granddaughters Marah Bates and Zayda Bryson.
Dick and his family would like to thank Dr. Michael Woods and Dr. Daniel Lange, OSF Medical Group; and the nurses and staff at Heritage Health in Normal for their compassion and care.
Richard will be missed very much.
Visitation will be Sunday November 10, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home, with funeral service to follow. Pastor Matt Wilcox to officiate. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.eastlawnmemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, Dick would have been appreciative of memorial donations made to the Humane Society of Central Illinois.
