Jim and Jane Marshall have spent most of their lives in the small town of Shoals , Indiana. They met in school and later married, beginning a life in this cozy community. As part of their estate planning, the Marshalls recently decided to give back to the community where they have lived, worked, and prospered. The Marshall Community Fund, to be funded by bequest, has been set up through the Martin County Community Foundation.  This unrestricted endowment will provide for community grant making to enrich the lives of all the citizens of Martin County .  Jim and Jane share wide-ranging philanthropic interests. By using the Community Foundation, they feel assured that causes they hold dear now, plus new and unknown needs, will be nurtured for generations to come.

Following college graduation in 1964, Jim served in the United States Army at Fort Benning , Georgia . There he used his engineering talents to design such projects as helicopter landing pads and bridges.  Jim and Jane returned to Shoals in 1966, and Jim  worked at Mid-west Engineers in 1999, having used his Civil Engineering degree throughout Martin and surrounding counties and states to design all types of projects.  The couple has had several business interests as well.  Marshall Motors was founded in 1939 by Jim’s father, and was an Evinrude dealership for several decades. Jim and Jane purchased the dealership in 1966.  Today they focus on the canoe and kayak business. They also own and operate Marshall Rental and Storage, which Jane manages.

Jim and Jane each have pursued their community interests by participating in several local organizations down the years.  Jim is a charter member of the newly formed Shoals Business Association. In the past he was chairman of the “Big Catfish Contest” held in conjunction with the Shoals Catfish Festival. He has now turned that duty over to the Shoals Fire Department. Jane has been a member of the Psi Iota Xi sorority for 26 years having served in every officer position except treasurer. She currently is a member of the Martin County Historical Society.

For hobbies, Jim has a love of all things fishing, while Jane is interested in genealogy and paints landscapes in acrylics. The couple own a cabin on the scenic White River , and spend many of their weekends there.

The Marshall Community Fund is a fitting and lasting legacy for this couple, whose entrepreneurship, volunteer service and community spirit have benefited Martin County for many years.  The Martin County Community Foundation is honored to have been chosen by Jim and Jane to carry out this legacy.  In accordance with the donors’ wishes, MCCF will administer the Marshall Community Fund to support local projects and organizations that enrich lives in Martin County . The Marshalls hope that their example will be followed by many others who share their vision of making this a better place for all who call Martin County home.

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