Richard P. Bailey

A celebration of life gathering for Richard P. Bailey, 88, of Knoxville will be held on
Friday, March 20, 2026, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in
Knoxville to honor and celebrate his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marion County Conservation Board.
On September 9, 1937, Richard Perry Bailey was born to Chester and Ruth (Perry)
Bailey. He grew up in the Marion County area attending school at Pleasantville then
later transferring to Knoxville High school where he later graduated in 1955. Richard
played football for the Knoxville Panthers and held the record,10 yards per carry for 60
years. The record was taken over by another young man who had the same ‘Bailey’
name but held no relation at all!
Richard was a salesman in multiple types of sales. He worked at the implement
dealership with his father and worked for the Langabartels Clothing store. In the late
60’s and early 70’s he ran the Red Rock Marina. He eventually got his Real Estate
License and began working for Mary Stotts until he got his own Real Estate Brokers
License. After getting his own license and opened his own business, he worked with
Better Homes and Gardens, GMAC, and Prudential until he sold his business to Bob
Lyman from Pella but ultimately to Park Woodle, who was an Agent of Rich’s when he
got his broker license.
Richard married the love of his life, Joni Pothoven on October 9, 1990. The two blended
their families together and enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren get to
know one another through the years. They each loved one another’s families like their
own.
There were many memories that Richard and Joni have made over the years. One of
their favorite places of all time was Lake Red Rock. They spent lots of time on the lake
in their boat and if you know them, you’ve probably been to one of their famous fish
fries. NO one cooks fish like Richard Bailey! Richard loved people and just life in
general. He lived every moment to the fullest. Richard was also very tech savvy and
always had the latest and greatest up to date technology.
Richard sadly passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Knoxville. He is preceded
by his parents, Chester and Ruth (Perry) Bailey; sisters: Jane Ann (Cecil) Clark, Francis
(Bill) King and Sarah (Bill) Ryerson; son, Jason Pothoven; grandson, Nathaniel Marxen
along with two nephews.
Richard will be deeply missed by his wife, Joni; their children: Debra (Steve) Marxen of
Davenport, Kim (Jerry) Myers of Oskaloosa, Beverly Kelso of Des Moines and Laura
(Brian) Rose; 12 grandchildren: Jeremiah (Tisha) Smith, Heather (Kyle) Shaw, Jayme
(Adam) Brown, Kyle Marxen, Katelyn (Tanner) Kosman, DJ Kelso, John Kelso, Ashley
Baum, Andrea (Patrick) Childs, Aaron Rose, Abby Pothoven, and Larry Pothoven; 10
great grandchildren: Cheyenne, Gage, Isela, Blake (Cody), Skyler (Carlos), Atlas, Lily,
Kendyl, Barrett and River; two great great grandchildren: Parker and Lennon; and many
other extended family members and friends.