Lyle E. Marsh

Lyle E. Marsh, 88, of Siloam Springs, passed away Monday, June 19, 2023.

Lyle was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He played the trumpet and was the class photographer in high school. He met, fell in love, and married his beautiful wife, Nancy, while attending John Brown University.

Lyle was very involved in Youth for Christ and young adult ministry at church. He was also a great song leader. He loved Jesus and sharing his faith. He handed out Christian tracts and pamphlets his entire life.

In 1972, he was on the cover of Tire Review Magazine with the main article featuring his accomplishments in the retread industry. The article begins-“with a borrowed $200, Erie, PA born Lyle Marsh started Marsh’s Racing Tires, Inc., in 1955 in the hometown of the girl he just married. We’ve been told that “retreading wouldn’t be on all the trouble it is, if more retreaders were like Marsh.” He is “a retreader’s retreader.” In 1971, he chalked up sales of $1 million selling retreaded racing tires, retreaded passengers tires, racing wheels (some up to 18” wide) and new highway tires. Lyle also manufactured the first civilian bead lock wheel.

Lyle loved people and was always willing to help others. He taught many practical life skills to his children and grandchildren. Lyle became more and more like Jesus over the course of his life. It was obvious by watching his life that he loved God and had a close relationship with Him. One that transformed who Lyle was.

In his retirement, Lyle enjoyed raising a few head of cattle and spending time wearing his cowboy hat, riding his tractor.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Marsh and his older brother, Ray E. Marsh.

He is survived by one daughter, Cindy Brackin; one son, Randy Marsh; 3 grandchildren, Justin Marsh and wife, Virginia, Jessica Tharp and husband, Forrest, and Casey Marsh; 8 great-grandchildren, Hailey Spence, Emily Tharp, Cheyenne Marsh, Afton Tharp, Ian Tharp, Andrew Tharp, Isabel Tharp, and Breydon Marsh; and many other loved ones.

A graveside service will be held Monday, June 26, 2023 at 2:00pm at Oak Hill Cemetery of Siloam Springs with Pastor Bob Tharp officiating.