Robert ‘Bob’ Marley

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Robert “Bob” L. Marley, 83, lifelong Monrovia resident and pillar within the community, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family while in the care of Hendricks Regional Hospital.

He was born at home in Monrovia on April 20, 1940 to the late Clyde and Grace (Benge) Marley.

A proud graduate from Monrovia High School class of 1958, Bob secured employment with Indianapolis Power and Light as a supervisor, retiring at the young age of 55 in 1995.

Civic-minded throughout his life, Bob was a former reserve deputy with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, where he began the Horse Patrol. His love of horses came from his youngest daughter, Dusty, and he delighted in her ability to help him train the two horses, Cowboy and Misty. A 50-year member of the Monrovia Masonic Lodge 654, he was also a volunteer with the Monrovia Fire Department, serving as chief. An integral part of incorporating the town, he was an original member of the town council, served as past president, belonged to the Monrovia Festival & Civic Association, as well as ending his career as police commissioner. A true Monrovian, he wholeheartedly loved his hometown, dedicating his life to making it a better place.

An avid NASCAR fan, he regularly attended races in Indianapolis, and just one time, his children got him out of Monrovia to travel to the Bristol Motor Speedway, staying in Gatlinburg sightseeing and visiting the Hollywood Wax Museum where wonderful memories were made.

Bob enjoyed boating on Raccoon Lake and taught his children to water ski and how to trailer and launch the boat. Owning a motorcycle in his younger days to travel to work, Bob made certain that all his children had motorbikes when they were old enough to ride together as a family. A man with a heart of gold who didn’t know a stranger and would take the shirt off his back to whoever needed it. With a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that was contagious, he had a genuineness that radiated from within; Bob Marley was truly a man who loved his family and friends deeply.

Along with his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Fisher, Lois Olleman and Sandra Steward.

He leaves behind his children, Darrin Marley of Monrovia, Darcy Hendershot (Greg) of Greencastle and Dustina Cameron (Che’) of Indianapolis; sister Donna McPhail (Kent) of Plainfield; grandchildren Robert L. “Robby” Marley II of Nottingham, Md., Nicole Harris (Mike) of Plainfield, Michael Hendershot (Brittany) of Greencastle and Brayden Marley of Pittsfield, Ill.; along with nine great-grandchildren, and his best friend, Ray Brown.

Cremation and Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. Bob will be taken to his final resting place on a fire truck, escorted by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, and all are welcome to line Main Street in Monrovia to pay their final respects by 6:15 p.m. on Friday, May 26. A graveside service will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall, with Masonic Service Rites and Kent McPhail will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Marley Monrovia Improvement Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Morgan County, 56 N. Main St., Martinsville, IN 46151.

To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Bob’s memory, please visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.