Joseph Lawrence Ruley, age 89 of Cox's Creek, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown.  He was born November 30, 1933, in Louisville.  He was a farmer and retired employee of International Harvester in Louisville with 25 years of employment.  He served his country in the U. S. Air Force.  He was a member of Saint Gregory Catholic Church.  He loved hunting, fishing, flea markets and anything outdoors.  He loved life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Bertha Downs Ruley; four sisters, Jeanette Hefern, Delores McCauley, Helen Hogan and Mary Jo Hayden; two brothers, Charlie and Paul Ruley; one granddaughter, Shannon Ballard Pinkston; one infant great grandson, Dakota Ruley.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Martha Abell Ruley; seven children, Pam Ballard of Bardstown, Larry Ruley (Sandy) of Holy Cross, Gail Ballard (Harold Smothers) of Loretto, Allan Ruley of Crystal River, Florida, Todd Ruley of Bardstown, Kim Hayen (Jamie) of Cox's Creek and Tony Ruley (Chasity) of Lebanon; 16 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; three sisters, Faye Hayden (Jim) of Louisville, Joyce Miles of Raywick and Jean Smith of South Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 am Friday at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6785 Highway 52, Loretto.  Rev. Deacon Donald Coulter will officiate.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation for Lawrence Ruley will be 3-8 pm Thursday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 pm by Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant.

Pallbearers are Allan Ruley, Jason Ballard, Patrick Ruley, Cambron Ruley, Tyler Healey and A.J. Hayen.