In Memory of a Wonderful Father

Dad's 90th birthday would have been on Memorial Day this year. We miss his funny jokes, little ditties, sharp dressing, whistling, crispy pancakes, and watching Ohio State football games together!

William Wesley “Jack” Marple was born on May 25, 1919, to Howard Harrison Marple and Ethel May Corns in Bellaire, Ohio. He was raised in McMechen, West Virginia with five sisters: Ethel, Lillian, Helen, Mabel and Nancy. In 1939 he married Helen Ruth McKinney. Before long their first son, Jon Howard, was born. Then in 1944, at the height of World War II, Jack was inducted into the army, serving in the 571st Signal Company, 71st Division, in the European Theater. There he worked as a field lineman, installing telephone and telegraph communication lines. After 14 months of service, he was honorably discharged and returned home safe and sound. After the war, Jack and Helen moved to Columbus and were blessed with another son, William Dean. In 1949 Jack was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were members of the Columbus branch, which met in the Stone Chapel on Ninth and Indianola. Jack was a barber like his father-in-law John McKinney and brother-in-laws, Harold and Hooch. He owned many barber shops in the Columbus, Ohio area and was quite the businessman. At one time he owned three shops on the Ohio State University campus. Of course, he was a loyal buckeye fan and held season tickets for many years. In 1952 Jack and Helen were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan temple. In 1958, Jack and Helen adopted their daughter, Mollie Rebecca. Four years later, he was called to be the first bishop in the church in central Ohio. Over the next 30 years he served as Bishop three times and then on the High Council. He was a faithful home teacher all of his life. In the early 1970’s Jack and Helen moved to Lancaster and built a home there. After retiring from barbering, Jack sold real estate. In the 1980’s, for reasons of Helen’s health, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they managed apartments for the next seven years. Shortly after building a home and serving a mission in the Las Vegas Temple, Helen passed away on July 2, 1990. They were married for 51 years. Jack then moved back to Columbus. He married Nella Ruth on 5 September 1992. Followed next by a second mission for the church, acting as an employment specialist where he helped many people find jobs in the Columbus area. Jack and Ruth just celebrated 14 years together. They were sealed for time and all eternity in 2003 in the Columbus Temple. Jack is survived by wife Ruth, two sisters: Mabel, Nancy, two sons; Jon (Mary), Dean and (SallyAnn), one daughter Mollie (Kevin), 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 5 step-children, many step-grand children, many nieces and nephews and one dog.



Eulogy of William Wesley Marple
given by daughter Mollie
October 26, 2006

Dad loved the simple things in life, like Ruth’s apple butter or peanut butter cookies with just a half a glass of milk. He also liked a little bit of toast with his jam.

He loved “The Chinese Dragon” and took great pride that he was their first customer—-I hope the restaurant doesn’t go under now that they’ve lost their most loyal customer.

He was the best pancake maker that ever lived. They were fried up in the cast iron skillet, nice and crispy on the edges. That’s how the Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast got started—--Bishop Marple’s love for flippin’ pancakes.

For years our telephone conversations went like this: “Hello, this is your Fathead, I mean your Father.” “So how you doin’, Dad?” “Well, if I felt any better, I’d get in trouble!"

He was quite musical and wrote little ditties like his number one hit, "Anna Banana is a Cute Little Girl." Although my favorite song that he sang everyday to my mother was “You Are My Sunshine." He also made Aunt Edna cry every time he sang it to her. When I was younger, the favorite line that he sang over and over again was “O Sole Mio.” Maybe you’ve had the pleasure of hearing it. My mother had that pleasure one too many times and officially banned him from ever singing it again, but last year on his 86th birthday, I happened to be in Venice and an Italian man sang it for me in his honor. That will always be “Dad’s” song.

I know exactly why my mother married him. He looked like a movie star. She told me she use to put his beautiful black locks up in curlers. Picture that!!!

He was named William Wesley Marple, but his grandfather said, “I’m not callin’ him William Wesley, that’s a sissy name. I’m callin’ him Jack.” While sitting in church one Sunday when he was a young boy, they called out his name and asked him to come up to receive his award. Well, he just sat there until his mother piped up from behind, “Will someone please tell Jack that his name is William Wesley?”

The remarkable thing about Dad was that he was never in a bad mood. He woke up like the birds, happy and ready to greet everyone. When I was little, in the mornings before we got out of bed he’d be tickling my mom and she’d yell out “Help, Help, Mollie, Help!” That was my cue to hop out of bed, come running as fast as I could, jump on their bed and save her. Of course cuddling with them was the best part.

As a little girl I also loved visiting him at the barber shop. My dad had the coolest cash register and pop machine ever. I would have been in seventh heaven if he would have hired me as his cashier and official soda pop drinker.

As a teenager my girlfriend Jill and I had a special name for our dads. We called them “Peabodies”. There really is no definition for a “Peabody” but there’s no denying that the two of them definitely had that “Peabody” look as they sat side by side, up on the stand at church, nodding off to sleep, in front of everybody, during sacrament meeting!!

The one-day in the year that I waited most patiently for my dad to come home from the barbershop was on Valentines Day. He knew the way to my heart—chocolates! Especially the chocolate-covered-cherry ones—but I think I loved the big heart shaped box they came in the most. For me, the color red now symbolizes the sacrifices he made for his family and the beautiful satin bow reminds me that we are tied together forever—because families are forever.

My memories of Dad are endless, but I especially love the story about when he was called to be the Bishop in Columbus. He had only been a member of the church for 12 years when he received a call from the Apostle Elder Howard W. Hunter, who later became the fourteenth president of the church. He said, “Brother Marple, I’d like to call you to be the first Bishop in Central Ohio.” My dad replied, “How can I be a Bishop? I don’t even know a Bishop. I have never even met a bishop.” He continued, “ I never finished high school, and I’m sure there are better educated and qualified men—professors at OSU or someone from out west.” Well, Elder Hunter just looked at him and said, “Brother Marple the Lord has called you and you’ll do just fine.” And it was baptism by fire. The very first week he had both a wedding and a funeral. I know that his strength as Bishop came from the Lord. And he accomplished what Heavenly Father wanted him to do.

This past August I spent two weeks visiting Dad and Ruth. Because of Alzheimers he had been worrying and fixating about not having a church calling. We tried to explain to him that he didn't have any callings, but he kept forgetting. So my brother, Dean, in his wisdom composed a very official looking letter on the computer: “Dear Brother Marple...Thank you for your many years of dedicated service in the church. Because of your Alzheimer’s you are honorably released from all callings in the church. Sincerely, President Wood.” After we gave him the letter he read it over and over trying to understand. It was then that I realized: Once a steward, always a steward.

The greatest legacy that our Dad left all of us is his testimony. He lived his testimony every day by being kind, humble, meek, gentle, and submissive. I know he believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m grateful that my Heavenly Father placed me in the arms of such wonderful parents—-and that includes you, Ruth. We love you and honor you for taking such good care of our dad. And, Dad, I’ll “sue” you later!*

*Dad's favorite joke: What did one lawyer say to the other lawyer? I'll sue you later!