Joe Allen Holderfield

Joe A. Holderfield, 69, of Marion, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Joe was born in Marion, IL on October 22, 1953.  He was the youngest child of a blended family after his mom passed away when he was 5 years old.  As a young kid, he was constantly outside shooting hoops or traveling with his dad and stepmom.

Joe attended Marion High School, and this is where his life really started to take shape.  His toughness, hard work, and natural ability helped him become a great athlete.  He won multiple track meets as a long jumper on the Marion Track and Field team and even though he was only 6’2 and 130 lbs. in high school, “Jumping Joe” played center for the Marion basketball team.  During this time, he also met Marsha Felts but said “he had no chance” to date her.  That didn’t stop him from hanging out at the Dairy Queen with her and dancing with her at Teen Town in Marion.  While playing basketball outside at Longfellow school, Marsha approached him and asked if he would take her to Homecoming and that was the beginning of 53 years together.  Joe was so proud to be dating Marsha and loved her more than life itself from day one.  He graduated high school in 1971 and then attended John A. Logan College on a basketball scholarship.  In 1973, Joe transferred to Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, MO where he continued his basketball career and led the Spartans in scoring, rebounding, and assists.  He was an All-Conference player and earned All-Tournament honors multiple times.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was later inducted into the Missouri Baptist Hall of Fame in 2010.

Joe and Marsha continued dating through college and eventually married in 1976 in Marion.  They started a family a few years later having two sons, Casey and Dylan.  Joe loved being a dad and was always involved with his boys’ sports and coached baseball and basketball.  No matter how busy Joe was with work, he never missed a single game that either of his boys played in from little league all the way through high school.

Joe was the life of the party and always had a blast with Marsha and so many friends.  Playing golf at Lake of Egypt CC and partying with their golf friends or high school & college friends took up most of their weekends and there were always multiple babysitters on standby.  If no one could watch the two boys, the party would simply move to Joe and Marsha’s house.  When the neighbors would complain about the volume of the music, Joe would simply invite them inside to join the party.  He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and despised the Chicago Cubs.  Driving from Marion to Busch Stadium in St. Louis was a regular occasion during the summer months.

Joe began working at Fabick Machinery Co. in Marion in 1975 in the parts department. He held multiple roles until he was promoted to Parts Manager in 1984.  In 1997, Joe was promoted to Branch Manager and was extremely proud to hold the same position that was previously held by his father-in-law, Melvin Felts.

Later in life, his two sons would each marry and start families of their own, and few things would make Joe prouder than his kids, daughters-in-law, and grandkids.  His fun-loving spirit, kindness, and generosity to his family was immeasurable and left a lasting legacy for them to carry on.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marsha Holderfield of Marion, IL; two sons, Casey and Krissy Holderfield of Lake St. Louis, MO and Dylan and Megan Holderfield of Marion, IL; four grandchildren, Dominic and Zane of Lake St. Louis, MO and Ash and Arlo of Marion, IL; one brother, Jim and Doris Holderfield of Marion, IL; sister-in-law, Sherry and Greg Starrick of Marion, IL and brother-in-law, Jerry and Julie Felts of Marion, IL; two stepbrothers, Ed Wieland and Bud and Janice Wieland of Herrin, IL; one stepsister Phyllis Wieland-Kubala of New Jersey; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Holderfield and Alberta Cash-Holderfield; stepmom, Marge Holderfield; brother, Jack Holderfield (Kay - survives); stepbrother, Barry Wieland.

It’s impossible to capture here exactly the kind of person, husband, father, grandfather, and friend Joe was, but there are enough stories out there about him to write a book.  Joe always went out of his way to make sure everyone had a good time.  He always said everyone should have one last party, so a Celebration of Life will be held for Joe on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Celebrations Event Center - 1305 Crane Dr, Marion, IL 62959 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Binkley-Ross Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may leave online condolences at www.binkleyross.com.

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