Obituaries : Marlyn W. Duncan

Marlyn W. Duncan, age 93, died Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Vinton Lutheran Home, following a short illness.

A memorial service for Marlyn will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Darrian Adkins officiating.  A luncheon will follow the service.  Private family interment will be held at the Alden Cemetery in Alden, Iowa.  The family requests no flowers, memorials may be directed to the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department, the Wesley Methodist Food Pantry, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Marlyn was born March 1, 1932, in Alden, IA to Preston and Edith (Godfrey) Duncan and graduated from Alden High School with the class of 1950.  He married LaDonna Mae Riley on September 23, 1951, in Alden.  LaDonna preceded Marlyn in death in 2006, after nearly 55 years of marriage.  On August 24, 2008, he married Kathryn Mealey at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton.  They split their time between winters in Texas and Vinton.  While in Texas, Marlyn and Kathy were members of the Senior Ambassadors singing group.  Kathryn Preceded Marlyn in death in 2022.

Marlyn attended tech school in Minneapolis.  Following graduation, he worked for the railroad for a brief time before taking a position with Iowa Electric in Iowa Falls.  He was transferred to Vinton, where he continued with Iowa Electric in the natural gas division for 35 years prior to retirement.  He served with the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department for many years.  Marlyn was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he loved to sing.  He was also a member of the Izaak Walton League.  He also owned D’s Busy B’s for almost 76 years and had hives in 5 locations at one time.  Marlyn loved to fly and after earning his pilot’s license, he was a partner in a Cessna plane.  He loved giving rides to others.  Travel was also an important part of Marlyn’s life.  He loved the winter sky in Colorado, and traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Australia.  His final words when ending a conversation were “Enjoy Life”

He is survived by children, Judith (Jerry) Staab, Janet Gerhart, Jon (Claire) Duncan; 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives LaDonna, and Kathryn; son-in-law Dr. Tim Gerhart; 2 brothers, Howard, and John Duncan; and 3 sisters, Alice Carpenter, Florence Vold, and Iowa Grubb.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com