John Wesley Marshell

Gloucester, Va. dateline
John Marshell, also known as "Wesley" or "John Wesley" to his birth family and childhood friends, has died at home in Gloucester County at age 75 of natural causes. Mr. Marshell's last name until he joined the Army was spelled M-a-r-s-h-A-l-l, as the rest of his family used. As Mr. Marshell related the story, when he enlisted the military adopted the misspelling handwritten on the birth certificate, and John's last name at that point became M-a-r-s-h-E-l-l for the rest of his life.
One of 10 children in the family of Louis Marshall, an oysterman, and Anna Marshall, a homemaker, Mr. Marshell was born in Cheriton, Northampton County, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and grew up in that rural community. After serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Mr. Marshell made his way to Washington, D.C., where he built a career in office-space management with the federal government. After his retirement, Mr. Marshell and his wife, Carol, a naval officer, lived at her duty station in the Philippines, and subsequently at several locations in the southern United States before settling in Gloucester County.
While in the Philippines, Mr. Marshell became an active member of American Legion Post No. 4 in Olongapo City. Among Mr. Marshell's other pursuits in retirement were real-estate work; achievement of an associate's degree in human services; volunteer activities with developmentally- and physically-challenged adults; and service as a hospice volunteer and as a certified nursing assistant.
A gregarious, family-oriented individual, Mr. Marshell enjoyed visiting, conversation, joking, and storytelling. A lifelong reader with a longtime interest in politics and other current events, Mr. Marshell additionally developed a major hobby as a home cook; he prepared an eclectic repertoire, but was probably best known among the family for his peanut brittle and chocolate-chip cookies. Mr. Marshell's many other pleasures in life included the companionship of a series of family pets.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, Mr. Marshell's survivors include brother George Marshall; sisters Joan (Marshall) Reil and Donna (Marshall) Smith; and a multi-generational network of numerous other relatives. The family deeply appreciates the services provided by Riverside Walter Reed Hospice; all members of the Riverside Health System who cared for John during his illnesses of the last several years; and the local emergency dispatchers and responders from Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue.
Mr. Marshell's memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 4th, at Whitcomb Lodge, Beaverdam Park, Gloucester. This facility is accessible to individuals of all mobility levels. For directions: http://www.gloucesterva.info/ParksandRecreation/Parks/BeaverdamPark/Facilities/tabid/360/Default.aspx
Arrangements by Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester Courthouse.