John Marshall Toler

John Marshall Toler (J.M.) was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, October 13, 2016. He was born to the late; Gay and Mary Mabel Toler on January 24, 1922 in Peach Orchard, Ark. He is survived by his children; Bonny (Toler) Free, Julie (Toler) Mertens, David Kent Barnes, and Charles "Chuck" Roy Barnes III. Grandchildren; Kent, Lisanne, Carrie, Sarah and Daniel Barnes, Caroline and Lara Mertens, J.J. and Annajayne Free, great-grandchildren; Gavin, Eldon and Clara Barnes, Brooklyn and Hadley Potts, Henry and James Seymour and Savannah Free. J.M. was preceded in death by his parents; son; John M. Toler, Jr., and loving wife Carolyn Burns Toler. J.M. was one of six children and he followed his father's footsteps and worked for the railroad. He was a telegrapher, dispatching trains for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until WWII. He went to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis for Basic Training, then to New Orleans, bound for Europe. He became a Technical Sergeant for the 720th Railway Operating Battalion in France, dispatching trains to the front lines. This included hospital trains, ammunition trains, POW trains and transporting Holocaust survivors from German concentration camps. After the war, J.M. continued his railroad career, spending 45 years with the Missouri Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad. He started as a third trick telegrapher to the Vice President of Transportation working his way up thru the ranks and eventually retiring as the Vice President of Transportation. J.M. spent his retirement enjoying life at Greer's Ferry Lake, traveling, riding in his "Little Red Rooster" and spending time with his family whom he loved very much. Services will be at Central Baptist Church, 5200 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock, Ark. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 12 noon. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Burial will take place at OakLawn Cemetery in Batesville, Ark. at 3 p.m. Please send memorials to: Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63132. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.