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Marvin A. Morford (2017)

BOND, HOSKINS, MCCLEARY, MORFORD, ROBILLIARD, SHANNON, WIGHT, ZIKE

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:02:58

McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary
Obituary
West Des Moines, Iowa

MARVIN A. MORFORD
West Des Moines

Marvin A. Morford, 92, died Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 8th at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel. A Masonic service will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday at West Des Moines United Methodist Church with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Marvin was born August 18, 1925 at his family home in rural Madison County, Iowa to Hazen and Dorothy (Wight) Morford. He graduated from Earlham High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the Army. Marv served as a parachutist in the U.S. Army 11th Airborne and was stationed in Japan for one year. After returning from the war in 1948, Marv married Twila Zike from Dexter, Iowa and they made a home in Des Moines. They had three children, Claudia, Greg and Brad. Marv and Twila enjoyed 47 years together.

Marv made a living selling vacuum cleaners door to door after marriage. He spent most of his career working for Ecolab as an exterminator. He retired in 1992 as a district manager and spent the remainder of his time creating new inventions in his garage. Marv always had a passion for inventing. He invented and patented such items as a reclining wheel chair, a wheel chair scale and 'the' better mousetrap to name just a few.

He was a member of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Through the years he helped create and revise the church Iowa State Fair food stand. Marv was the neighborhood welder and fixer. Any neighbor at any time could ask for Marv's help and he would be there to fix the problem. As a member of the Gnemeth Masonic Lodge #577, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Legion of Honor, and the Dexter American Legion Post #419 he was always working on a project. His patriotic spirit was an inspiration that many admired.

Marv is survived by his children, Claudia (Frank) Hoskins and Brad (Michelle) Morford; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of beloved friends. His significant other for many years, Jean Shannon, is also left to mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Twila Morford; sister, Marcella Morford McCleary; son, Greg Morford; 2nd wife, Virginia Bond Morford; and great-granddaughter, Aubrey Robilliard.

Memorial contributions may be given to the West Des Moines United Methodist Church or the Dexter American Legion Post 419.

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

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