Marvin Ernest Main September 30, 1923 – April 28, 2011

  Marvin Ernest Main was born at home on September 30, 1923 in Liberty township, Ringgold county, Iowa, the son of Corwin and Mabel (Wood) Main. He passed away on April 28, 2011 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Marvin attended country schools until high school when he boarded in Mount Ayr during the week to attend classes, graduating with the Mount Ayr high school class of 1941.

Marvin was united in marriage to Mildred Lucille Merritt on December 22, 1944 at the United Methodist parsonage in Creston, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Connie in 1946, Jack in 1948 and Roger in 1953, who died at birth.

Marvin lived his entire life on farms in Poe, Washington and Liberty townships in Ringgold county. He loved all aspects of farming, especially raising and working with horses. He was a regular at the horse sales in Mount Ayr and he and his draft horses, Mike and Molly, pulled wagons in parades carrying family members, day care children, organization members and even a few queens. Marvin and his horse, Chester, delivered Santa by sleigh to his appointed stop in Mount Ayr each December for years. In later years he raised miniature horses. He continued raising horses after his retirement until his health failed.

He loved country music and he and Lucille enjoyed dancing throughout their life together attending dances and jam sessions all over the area. They were known for their polka dancing.

Marvin also loved woodworking and made many items that he enjoyed giving to his family members and friends.

Marvin was a member of Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, Pork Producers, Extension Council, ASC Township Committee, Wishard Chapel United Methodist Church and was a township trustee.

Marvin was preceded in death by his son, Roger Ray; his parents, Corwin and Mabel Main; sisters, Maxine Kendig, Arlene Kimball, Mildred Sobotka and Phyllis Main; brothers-in-law, Bob Shaffer, Elza Fetty, Gilbert Rule, Clarence Barker and Cecil Kendig, and sister-in-law, Jeannine Main.

Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife of 66 years, Lucille Main of Mount Ayr, Iowa; his children, Connie and husband Doyle Richards of Tingley, Iowa and Jack and wife Sandy Main of Mount Ayr, Iowa; five grandchildren, Kris and husband Bruce Quick of Tingley, Iowa, Kelly Stackhouse of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Chad and wife Jenny Main of Grimes, Iowa, Nikki and husband Jon Binning of Warrensburg, Missouri and Jodi and husband Dan Beermann of Norwalk, Iowa; 14 great-grandchildren, Colton Quick and fianc?? Amelia Becker, Austin and Ashton Quick, Cody, Kaci and Jamie Stackhouse, Alexis, Sadie and Macy Beermann, Ali, Maci and Kaylee Main and Megan and Sarah Binning; sisters, Juanita Shaffer of Atascadero, California and LaViece Barker and Doris Rule of Mount Ayr, Iowa; brothers, Virgil Main of Fremont, Nebraska, Larry Main of Magalia, California and Lyle Main of Mount Ayr, Iowa, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Memorials are to HCI Care Services and Wishard Chapel Methodist Church.

Services were conducted at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Monday, May 2, 2011, with Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Musicians were Carol Ann McCreary, Barbie Belzer and Nancy Sackett.

Casket bearers included Chad Main, Jon Binning, Colton Quick, Austin Quick, Cody Stackhouse and Larry Drake.

Honorary pallbearers were Jack Gourley, Lee Faris, Paul Drake, Dale Green, Lyle Faris and Mark Triggs.

Marvin was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.