Marvin Scarff

Marvin Orel Scarff , 80, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Wednesday, November 21, 2007, at the Henry County Health Center. According to his wishes, Marvin's body has been cremated. Visitation for Marvin will be on Friday, November 23, 2007, beginning after 12 noon at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Nick Adam officiating. Inurnment, with military rites, will be at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. Memorials have been established to the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. The son of Orel Ralph and Ethel Gladys Fickel Scarff, Marvin was born on August 3, 1927, in Henry County. He was a 1945 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Marvin joined the United States Navy on June 7, 1945. He served in World War II and was discharged on August 17, 1946. Completing his service to his country, Marvin attended Iowa Wesleyan College for two years. On December 21, 1946, he married Lois Jean Greer in Shenandoah, IA. She survives. A lifelong resident of Henry County, Marvin was employed at JJ Steel Erection of West Burlington. At the time of his retirement in 1980, he was a foreman for the company. He was a member of the Iron Workers Union #577 in Burlington, IA. He was a member of the V.F.W. #2561 and the American Legion Post #58 in Mt. Pleasant. Marvin enjoyed going to see his children and grandchildren. He liked spending winters in Florida and visiting National Parks. Fishing, hunting mushrooms, reading western novels and watching the Bears were some of his favorite pastimes. Along with his wife, Lois, Marvin is survived by one son, Steven Scarff and his wife Joan of Bozeman, MT and one daughter, Jean and her husband Joseph Hassenfritz of Rosemount, MN. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer Hassenfritz, Jonathan Hassenfritz and his wife Allison, Sonya Scarff, and Stephanie Scarff, along with two great-grandchildren Benjamin and Evelyn Hassenfritz. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Melvin Scarff.