Joe Farley

Joe Farley, 86, of Iberia, entered his Heavenly home early Sunday, December 3, 2023 following his passing at Marion General Hospital.

Joe was born February 20, 1937 in Keith, Kentucky to the late Richard and Zelphie (Caldwell) Farley. He moved to Galion in the early 1960s and married Helen C. Ringley on July 18, 1963. She survives and they’ve experienced some great memories in their 60 years of marriage.  Joe worked for many years at Hydraulic Components in Galion until an accident forced him into retirement. He then delivered the Galion Inquirer for five or six years as something to help occupy his time.

Joe, along with his family, experienced many great travels around the United States and Canada but their true love was vacationing in the Smokey Mountains. They enjoyed some great shows, good meals, and took in the beautiful breathtaking views that God created. Music was a big part of Joe’s life. He preferred listening to southern gospel or bluegrass gospel and loved the sounds that a pedal steel guitar created. He loved that sound so much, that in his early 70s, he traveled to Orange, Virginia and purchased a pedal steel guitar for his lessons in Sugar Creek, Ohio. Joe’s other passion was fishing, and he wasn’t particular about where he fished, he simply enjoyed time on, or along the water. He loved watching sports on TV and especially football. He rooted for his Buckeyes, Browns, and Green Bay Packers and when the Kentucky Wildcats took the basketball court, he was into that as well.

Joe loved the Lord very much and enjoyed worshipping at Word of Life Christian Center in Marion where he formerly played the pedal steel guitar in the church orchestra. He was a kind and humble soul who will be missed by many.

Joe is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters, Terri (Kenneth) Shumaker and Angela (Brian) McFarland; four granddaughters, Holly Marie Henry, Ashley Elizabeth Henry, Andrea Barker, and Kristy (Kamin) Gerhart; four great-grandchildren, Kohien, Kaiden, and Kassidy Ruffner and Khloe Gerhart; one sister, June Carr; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours for Joe will be from 4 – 7 pm Thursday, December 7 at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio, where his funeral will be held at 11:00 am Friday with Rev. Mark Mauldin officiating. Burial to follow in Iberia Cemetery.

If desired, donations can be made payable to Word of Life Christian Center and will be accepted through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook.