A Celebration of Life Service for Joan Marshall, age 89, who passed away on July 5th, 2024, will be held on Saturday, July 20th, 2024 at the First Southern Baptist Church, 1400 N. Mulberry Street, Abilene, KS (just north of the Abilene High School). There will be a visitation at 9:30 am followed by the Celebration of Life at 10:30 am, with Pastor Dave Parker officiating. A livestream/video of the visitation and Celebration of Life will be accessible at https://www.facebook.com/fsbcabilene . Joan passed away peacefully at Village Manor Nursing Home.

Joan Shirley Spaeth was born July 5, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA to George and Marion Spaeth, the youngest of five children. She attended local schools through high school. In 1952 she graduated as a Registered Nurse from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. Later she attended the Philadelphia College of Bible. On July 6, 1963, she was united in marriage to William Marshall at Bethany Baptist Church in Fox Chase, PA. Together Joan and Bill celebrated 61 wonderful years of marriage. To that union two children were born – Debbie and Bob. Joan and husband Bill were partners in Christian ministry for forty years until their retirement in 2004. Together they served American Baptist Churches in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Kansas.

Joan was a devoted wife and mother who took great delight in raising their two children. She was a talented musician who used her gifts generously in the churches that she and Bill served. During the years of ministry Joan taught Sunday School, was a camp nurse and craft director, and was active in women’s work. She loved helping others and had a special gift for working with older folks. She enjoyed doing all kinds of crafts, knitting, crocheting, crossword puzzles, number painting, gardening and walking.

In retirement, Joan volunteered at the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, chaired the craft committee at the hospital and led weekly hymn sings at Village Manor Nursing Home. Joan and husband Bill loved to do outside work. Together they cared for the trees and shrubs at Village Manor and several churches in the area as well as at the American Baptist Camp in Hesston, KS. In retirement she and Bill had a goal of visiting and walking through as many small towns in KS as they could. They did visit quite a number.

Joan was an avid baseball fan all her life. The Philadelphia Phillies were her team, but she tried really hard to root for the Kansas City Royals also.

Joan was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved to serve the Lord and others. One of her favorite hymns was “To God Be the Glory” which pretty much sums up what her life was all about. Joan was a deeply committed Christian who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

Joan is survived by her husband Bill, and their two children, daughter Debbie Webb (Greg) of Wamego, KS and son Bob Marshall (Shelley) of Gardner, KS, four grandchildren (Sean, Matthew, Carson, Luci) and three great-grandchildren (Brooks, Parker, Baker).

The family would like to thank Village Manor for the compassionate care that Joan received while a resident there. We so much appreciate all that they did for her during her stay.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to International Ministries World Mission Offering, at https://portal.internationalministries.org/world-mission-offering. Alternatively, contributions can be mailed to International Ministries World Mission Offering, 1003 West 9th Avenue Suite A, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.martinbeckercarlson.com

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