Gary James Marsh

Gary James Marsh, 74, of Paxton, returned home to his heavenly Father on Saturday, July 4, 2026. He was able to pass peacefully, with dignity and full faith in The Lord. He was born on April 6, 1952, in Youngstown, OH, the son of Charles and Eleanor (McMichael) Marsh. Gary came to know the Lord as a child while attending church with his parents at a Presbyterian Church. Gary was a graduate of South High School, Youngstown, OH in 1970, he then enlisted to join the United States Air Force. Gary served for 4 years with active duty in the Vietnam War. He then pursued a civilian position as a Technical Training Instructor Supervisor with the USAF at Chanute AFB, Rantoul, IL in the Aerospace Ground Support Equipment Division. He continued his education at Parkland College receiving his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement, majoring in Criminal Justice in 1984. Gary began his Law Enforcement career in 1976 by serving as Chief of Police for the Village of Ludlow. He was also the Director of Safety, Security, Parking, Transportation and Grounds for Covenant Medical Center. He then returned closer to his childhood home to further advance his career and became a Police Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. His Law Enforcement career continued to progress until achieving the highest position Chief of Police in 2005. His career as Chief continued to Department of Veterans Affairs, Hines VA Medical Center, Hines, IL in 2013. Chief Marsh served for 12 years, with a total of over 41 years in Law Enforcement. He received numerous achievements throughout his life, including special honors for his pristine skills in shooting and the Department of Veterans Affairs National Award Chief of the Year in 2011. Chief’s character exemplified dignity, respect, innovation, untiring effort, unfailing good judgement, and total devotion to the duty he was called to do. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Gal. 5.13 Gary married Julie Miller in 2002, at American Lutheran Church in Rantoul. He is survived by his wife, Julie Marsh of Paxton; four children, Jamie (Josh) Johnson of Paxton, Heather (Jason) Willms of Nebraska City, NE, Holly (Sean) Roberts of Mahomet, and Heidi (Dustin) Kurtz of Paxton; sixteen grandchildren, Wyatt Burrows, Corbin Johnson, Tye Burrows, Joslin Johnson, Brya Willms, Bella Willms, Ryan Roberts, Kylie Fuoss, Karlie Fuoss, Keaton Roberts, Kelsie Fuoss, Katelynn Roberts, Kolson Roberts, Liam Kurtz, Lincoln Kurtz, and Lidia Kurtz; his mother-in-law Catherine Miller (Rantoul), sister-in-law Pam (Rick) Hurd of Rantoul, brother-in-law Mark (Connie) Miller of Ludlow, sister-in-law Laurie (Chuck) Quinn (Buckley) and nieces, nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a beautiful baby daughter, Carrie Lynn Marsh; a sister, Peggy Oles; and an aunt and uncle, James and Vera Whiting. Gary delighted in the companionship of dogs throughout his life. He was a member of the Bedlington Terrier Club of Greater Denver and The Bedlington Terrier Club of America. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to attend dog shows. He would be found sitting and chatting with fellow friends and encouraged them to grab a snack from the snack box. His love and dedication to the breed left such a lasting impact that the Bedlington Terrier Club of Greater Denver will hold a specialty show on Saturday, September 5, 2026 in Greeley, Co in his honor. He enjoyed watching western movies and The Waltons tv show with his wife. Together as a team they raised a litter of seven Bedlington Terrier pups in June of 2025. Gary enjoyed his guns, birdwatching, and a good meal shared with those he loved. He especially cherished time spent with family, whether gathered around the table for holidays, celebrations or to grab a bite to eat. He loved his wife deeply and considered one of his greatest blessings to be the large, blended family they had together. To Gary, there was no distinction between relatives, step-relatives, or friends - to him, "all are family." Those who knew Gary will forever remember his long greeting as he said "hellllloooo", his welcoming spirit, and his trademark response whenever he was asked how he was doing: "Just peachy." Gary valued each day he was given. Upon waking up he would respond with, “I woke up today, I’ve been blessed with another day”. "So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Ps 90.12 A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at Cox-Knapp Funeral Home in Paxton (142 W. Patton St.). A funeral service will begin following the visitation, at 12:30 p.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Rantoul. A luncheon will follow the burial at Rantoul VFW Post 6750. Memorials may be made to Friends of Fisher House – Illinois (5000 S. 5th Ave Bldg 100 Hines, IL 60141) and Bedlington Terrier Wellness & Rescue Assoc. Bixby Fund (c/o Linda Freeman 156 Cather Rd Berryville, VA 22611).

Gary James Marsh

April 6, 1952 - July 4, 2026