Joan Lynn Markley

Joan Lynn Markley, age 68, passed away on Sunday January 18, 2026, at Marion General Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Joan was born to her late parents, James Compton and Betty Johnson Compton, on February 7, 1957, in Marion, OH. Joan married her first husband, Ronald Spears, in 1976. Together they had two children Scott and Brandon. They would spend 25 years together before his passing in 2001. She would find love after loss and married Tod Markley in Martel, on June 25, 2005. They would share 21 years of love and memories.

Joan worked for many years at Perkins as a server, and manager. After graduating from Marion Technical College in 2004 as the class Valedictorian, she would find her permanent place of work at Turning Point as a victim’s rights advocate for over 22 years. Joan loved her family and enjoyed watching and being with her grandkids. Being a crafty woman, she liked to quilt, knit, crochet, make jewelry, and create her own desserts. She also was a big fan of the Cleveland Browns. Joan had a lot of friends and was a people person. She was always your biggest supporter, and safety net Other than family and hobbies, one of the most important things to her was her Methodist faith.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, James, and Betty Compton, first husband, Ronald Spears, and her sister, Sharon Compton.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband, Tod Markley, sons, Scott and Brandon Spears, brothers; Jeff (Teri) Compton, David (Julie) Compton, and Kevin (Laurie) Compton, and her grandchildren, Austyn and Brantley Spears.

Joan's family would like to invite her friends and loved ones to join them for calling hours at the Boyd Funeral Home on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a memorial service held the following day at the funeral home on January 24, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Marion Community Foundation in her honor to set up a fund for future victim’s advocates.

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