Joey Marks

JOEY "JOE" MARKS, 52, of Sullivan, IL formerly of Arcola, IL passed away at 8:27 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon, IL.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Thomas / Bradford Football Field at the Arcola High School. Rev. Barney Wells will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2008 at the Edwards Funeral Home 221 East Main Street, Arcola, IL.

Joe was born March 12, 1956 in Man, West Virginia. He was a son of Jack Maurice and Ada Vernette (Parsons) Marks. He married Glenda Simmering on June 20, 1981 in Sunnyland, IL.

Survivors include his wife Glenda Marks of Sullivan, IL; one son Jordan Michael Marks of Sullivan, IL; one daughter Jessie Schrock and her husband Nathan of Ft. Bragg, NC; one granddaughter Julia Ruby-Kay Schrock of Ft. Bragg, NC and two brothers, Jack Marks and his wife Dawn of Oakwood, IL and Jamie Marks and his wife Wendy of Reidsville, NC.

His parents preceded him in death.

Joe graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1974. He attended Parkland College and transferred to Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 1979 with a B.S. in Education. His teaching and coaching career at Arcola began when he took over as junior high science teacher shortly after Thanksgiving of that year. His teaching career spanned junior high and high school sciences, and technology director. He also continued his education during that time, receiving his Master's Degree in Education Administration.

Starting in 1980, Joe was the assistant football coach at Arcola, helping to build the strong tradition of Arcola football under Coach Steve Thomas. After Thomas' resignation in 1994, Joe was named the head football coach, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Joe once said, "I can't think of any better program to be associated with in the state of Illinois."

Joe left Arcola in 2004 to become the Principal of Sullivan Middle School. He was also working towards his Superintendent's Certificate, with only one class left until completion. Joe always enjoyed joking around with his students and touching their lives – and was most proud of a student receiving their diploma than any accomplishment on the field.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed his family, bow hunting and fly fishing – often combining the three by taking his family on sporting vacations to Bennett Springs, Missouri. Always the competitor, Joe and his son Jordan would compete to see who could catch the most fish. Joe always encouraged his children's sports careers, often giving them "coaching" advice at home after games.

Joe was a member of the Walnut Grove Christian Church, the Illinois Principals Association.
He was a charter member of the World Famous Arcola Lawn Rangers and enjoyed marching in parades all over the country, often including his family in the adventures.

In a newspaper interview after being named Arcola's head football coach, Joe remarked, "When all is said and done, I hope I can walk off the field and hold my head high."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Joe Marks' Children's College Fund at First Mid Illinois Bank and Trust.