Paul Marley

Paul Clarence Marley, 88, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2026, at his residence at Hickory Estates in Pana, Illinois.

He is survived by his children, Paul (Marla) C. Marley, Jr. of Oconee, Inez (Darrin) Vits of Dixon, and Rita (David) Harper of Rochester, nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great, great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife Patsy (Brooks) Marley, his parents, Bernard and Lucia (Gleich) Marley, and his nine siblings, Josephine Cronin, Bernard Marley, C.F. Marley, Raymond Marley, Lucia Johnson, Teresa Knobeloch, Carl Marley, James Marley, and Mary Weihmeir.

He was born on June 26, 1937, and lived his life within a 20-mile radius. He graduated from Nokomis High School in 1955 and served as a cook in the Illinois Air National Guard. He was on active duty during the Bay of Pigs crisis. He married Patsy Brooks on November 26, 1960, at St. Louis Catholic Church, Nokomis. In 1965, Paul and Patsy moved into a house in rural Oconee that they resided in for over 55 years. He farmed both grain and livestock with his brother, Carl, for over 50 years.

An avid sportsman and deer hunter, he and Patsy opened their home to rambunctious deer camp activities every fall. In September 1990, he was featured in International Bow Hunter magazine for a Boon & Crocket record breaking 8-point buck. At the time, this buck was the second largest bow killed 8-point buck in the world and the seventh largest 8-point buck ever killed by any means. Paul proudly mounted the buck himself, and it hung in a place of honor in Paul and Patsy’s home.

Visitation will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, Nokomis, Illinois, on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 10:00 am-11:00 am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. A meal will be served after interment. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis. 

Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family with arrangements.

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