Marvin Van Syoc

Marvin Van Syoc, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, August 5, 2010 at his home. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Monday, August 9th at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Regan Stoops officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the First Baptist Church and to Hospice of Central Iowa. The son of Perl and Ada Mason Van Syoc, Marvin M. was born on December 4, 1921, in Mt. Pleasant, IA. He was a 1939 graduate of Winfield High School. On February 28, 1945, he married Jean Cuddeback Van Weiss at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. She survives. Mr. Van Syoc was a World War II veteran, serving in Japan, as part of the United States Army. Following his discharge from the Army, he farmed in Winfield, IA, along with auctioneering with Harold Van Syoc until he joined Farm Bureau Insurance Company in the mid-fifties. For many years, he sold insurance and managed the local agency. Marvin received many awards from Farm Bureau and was given the highest honor of being a lifetime member on the Royal Court of Honor. As a result of his hard work, he enjoyed many trips at home and abroad. During his 30 year career, he wrote a monthly article entitled "This I Believe" for the Spokesman, a monthly newspaper for Farm Bureau families. After retiring from the insurance profession, he became a real estate agent with Cornick Realty. Marvin designed a home and built it on an acreage south of Mt. Pleasant. He took pride in caring for its pond and picnic area. He loved the out of doors and found fulfillment in sharing its beauty with his immediate and extended family. Marvin was an active member of the First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School, worked with the youth, served as a Deacon, and was chairman of the new building committee. He was involved in many community activities and for over 20 years served as chairman for the Patient Advocate Board of Pleasant Manor Nursing Home. He enjoyed reading and swapping stories and experiences with others over a cup of coffee. Marvin's family was his highest priority. He supported his children and grandchildren in their musical, sports, career endeavors and always looked forward to their visits. Mr. Van Syoc is survived by his wife, Jean; a daughter, Karen Van Syoc Doubleday of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a sister, Mildred Wagner of Cincinnati, OH; two grandchildren, Jeff (Sarah) Van Syoc of Minneapolis, MN and Kim (Chris) Van Syoc Lapanis of Oswego, OR; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Van Syoc of Cedar Falls, IA. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Owlyn Madrone Van Syoc and Soma Samadhi both of Minneapolis, MN, along with nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Mr. Van Syoc was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Van Syoc; a brother, Wendell Van Syoc; and stepmother, Grace Van Syoc; and brother-in-law, Clare Wagner.