DR. C.W. "DOC" MARSH

1922 - 2014

Dr. Charles Woodard "Doc" Marsh, 92 of Drexel, Missouri passed away August 26, 2014 at his home in Drexel. Doc, an osteopathic physician, practiced medicine for over sixty years, most of these in Drexel. He was born in Cicero, Indiana on June 25, 1922. He was the only child of C.W. Marsh, Sr. and Olive Woodard Marsh. Dr. Marsh graduated in 1945 from The College of Osteopathy and Surgery in Kansas City, (now known as The University of Health Sciences) where his college expenses were paid from money he received playing his saxophone in bands around the K.C. area. He met his future wife, Rose Elaine Schwab, while he was an intern and she was a patient in the hospital for an appendectomy. They married on June 25, 1945. To this union four children were born: Donna (Joe) Ziegler and Judy (David) Still, all of Drexel, Mo.; Patricia (Daryl) Deel of Louisburg, Kansas and Charles W. Marsh III, of Shawnee, Ks. Doc was a fifty year member of the Coldwater Masonic Lodge; a charter member of the Drexel Lions Club, where was active over sixty years; a long time member of the Bates County Shriners Club and a member of several bands in the area. (He played his tenor saxophone or the bass guitar for over seventy years!) He traveled around the world, visiting every continent including Antarctica, and had been to all fifty states. He built a clinic in Drexel in 1954 where he had a "no frills" practice. He didn't take reservations – everyone waited their turn in his waiting room! He answered his own telephone calls because he didn't have a receptionist. Paper work was a hassle, so he didn't accept insurance, Medicare or Medicaid – cash or checks were taken. If you didn't have money, you could pay him next time! Doc's parents preceded him in death. He is survived by the love of his life, Rose, of the home, his four children, ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Doc also leaves behind his special Angels on Earth, Angie Jenkins, Delores Halbin and Stephanie Cravens. He was a very wonderful and compassionate man who will be missed more than words can express! One of his granddaughters wrote a college paper about Doc in which she stated, "Honesty, integrity, kindness and a heart larger than you can imagine are the characteristics that make my grandpa so special." Services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the Drexel First Baptist Church in Drexel, Missouri with Rev. Mike Cooper officiating. Visitation Friday evening, 6-8 PM at Mullinax Funeral Home - Drexel Chapel in Drexel, Missouri. Burial will follow services in Sharon Cemetery near Drexel. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Drexel Lions Club or Heartland Hospice. Messages of condolence for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com