Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 18th at 10:30 AM at McLaren’s Chapel (801 19th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265) with a visitation from 6-8PM Tuesday, April 17th at McLaren’s Chapel. Burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter on April 18th at 12:30 PM with full military honors.
Marion was born August 8, 1946 in Des Moines, IA to John Thomas and Leah Louisa (Payton) Cowling. He was the 6th of 9 children. Marion grew up in Des Moines but when he was 16 his family moved to Lucas, IA. He graduated from Chariton High School in 1965. He started his employment with USPS in 1967 but 3 months later was drafted into US Army. He spent 16 months in Vietnam from 7/68 to 11/69. After his military service was over, he returned to the USPS from which he retired in 2004 as Manager, Maintenance Operations with 37 years of federal service. He also served in the Iowa National Guard from 1973-1976.
Marion was united in marriage to Carol Ann (Morris) on March 6, 1971 at Sewal, IA United Methodist Church.
Marion was paid-up-for-life member of American Legion Post 620, West Des Moines; a life member of AMVETS Post 2, Des Moines and life member of VFW Post 8879, West Des Moines. He had served on the board of Townhomes of Meadowpoint and was active in NARFE (National Active & Retired Federal Employees). He had been a volunteer firefighter for the Delaware Township Fire Department from 1979 through 1982. He enjoyed traveling (he and Carol had traveled to over 55 countries and islands, all 50 states and all 99 counties in Iowa), helping Carol cook and bake, computers and spending time with his godchildren and their siblings. Marion loved everything about the Christmas season and looked forward to that every year. Marion had a great sense of humor and a marvelous laugh.
Marion is survived by his wife Carol, brothers Bert (Cecelia) of Rockford, IL and Russell (Kitty) of Orient, IA; sisters Rhea Baker of Creston and Sue Harrison (Chris) of Knoxville, IA; godchildren Leslie Torres, Carter Iben and Lily Myers and their siblings and parents; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John Richard and Joe Thomas, sisters Rose Evangeline Webb and Mary Jane Cowling.
