Married first time to 18 January 1838 at Perth to Caroline Flaherty, daughter of Edward John and Sarah Elizabeth Flaherty. Caroline died 21 March 1853. John married second Elizabeth Reilly 7 January 1855. When the Bohemian sugar bakers (Moravians) emigrated settling around Fulneck, Bristol and other places, amongst them were Okelys and Wippermans. Some of these intermarried. The most eminent Okely was Francis, associate of Wesley. Over the years many Okelys went abroad, some to the USA, some as missionaries, and in the 1800's some came to Australia. After his brother Will settled in Fremantle John Peters Okely joined him, buying his implements and starting a bakery there. Soon 1834, John shifted to Perth, where in 1838, he married the 15 year old Caroline. His business prospered and expanded till John began to diversify, selling imported products and hiring and racing horses. Things got out of hand when he experienced trouble paying his debts but he overcame this reversal in fortune (It is believed his double storeyed building in St Georges Terrace was at one time the old 'West Australian Newspapers premises). Despite early deaths in the family John obtained a good living and continued at his occupation for about 48 years. Towards the end of his life he benefited from gardening. There was an infectious sense of hospitality and togetherness and gracious living for John Okelys family. Emily was generous to a fault and used to cook masses of food for all comers. John Peters Okely died at his home in St Georges Terrace on June 14 1884, just two weeks after the marriage of his daughter Arabella. He was laid to rest in the same East Perth Cemetery plot as his daughter Amelia. As a widow Elizabeth Okely remained in Perth where her daughter Arabella lived. She mourned the loss of her two youngest sons prior to her own death on November 4 1906. She is also buried at East Perth.