Joseph C. Marshall Obituary

Joseph “Tuck” Marshall, age 80, of Frankfort, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and the memories of a life well lived. Tuck is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathryn (née Stephan); his children, Craig Marshall and Nicole (Richard) Conroy; his grandchildren, Hailie, Cassidi, and Stephan Marshall, and Griffin and Addisyn Conroy; Kim Starcevich, whom he cherished as a daughter-in-law; William Bluedog, whom he loved as a son; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Thomas Worthy, Arlene Stephan, and Mary Jean Alderman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph H. and Wanda (née Glowacki) Marshall; his parents-in-law, Bernard and Mary Catherine Stephan; his sister and brother-in-law, JoWan and Melvin Mothershead; his brother, Peter Marshall, who passed away in infancy; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Barbara and Mario Labardini, Patricia Worthy, and Bernard C. Stephan.

A graduate of Brother Rice High School and Northern Illinois University, Tuck earned his degree in business administration before proudly serving his country in the United States Army in Panama. Following his honorable discharge, he built a successful career as a mortgage and real estate broker and was the owner of J.C. Marshall Financial Services, Inc. He served as president of both the Illinois and National Associations of Mortgage Brokers, served on the Anna McDonald School Board, and even ran for the Illinois Senate. Tuck loved being involved in his community and public life.

Tuck was a devoted outdoorsman and adventurer who always dreamed of becoming a hunting and fishing guide. Tuck and Kathryn built their beloved cabin on Crane Lake, Minnesota—a place where generations of their family gather, explore, laugh, and make lasting memories. This cabin was Tuck’s pride and joy, and he loved spending summers fishing, swimming, and relaxing and knowing the hard work it took to make it what it is today. His love for the Northwoods lives on through his family, knowing they cherish it as much as he did.

Tuck’s greatest fortune was never measured in what he had but in the love he gave, the laughter he shared, and the memories he created with the people who meant the most to him. Born on May 4, 1946, Kentucky Derby Day, his story began with a little extra luck. As family lore goes, his father won enough on the Derby to pay for their house, car, and Tuck’s hospital bill. Perhaps he was fortunate from the very beginning. But Tuck’s greatest gift was the love he gave his family and friends and the example he set—teaching them through the way he lived about strength, resilience, generosity, and the importance of living fully and loving deeply. Those lessons will remain with his family for generations to come. And until we see him again, we can picture Tuck in a place that feels just like home—casting a line into the lake and enjoying a perfect day of fishing in Heaven, with his family never far from his heart.

Visitation for Joseph “Tuck” Marshall will be held at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home in Manhattan on Tuesday, October 6th, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral services for Tuck will take place the next day on Wednesday, October 7th, beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 11:00am, followed by a procession to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 235 W. North St., Manhattan, for 11:30am Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, will immediately follow. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.