Marvin Freeborn, 76, of Barnes City, passed away Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2025, at his home under hospice care. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial with military rites was held at the Barnes City Cemetery. Memorials have been designated for UnityPoint Hospice, the Barnes City Fire and Rescue, Barnes City Cemetery Association, or any organization of choice.
Marvin Ray Freeborn, son of Sheldon and Doris Jean (Hamilton) Freeborn, was born June 26, 1949, at Oskaloosa. He attended and graduated from North Mahaska High School with the Class of 1967. Marvin was united in marriage to Doris Marie McMahan at the Friends Church in New Sharon on Nov. 22, 1969. Marvin attended and graduated from Iowa State University in May of 1971. He enlisted and entered the U.S. Army in June of 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1974 at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Marvin and Doris made their home in Barnes City and became the parents of two daughters, Angela and Karen. He was employed at the Barnes City Co-op for 40 years and also included Taintor Cooperative, SCE, and Key Co-op. Marvin was involved in several organizations over the years, including Ruritan, Barnes City Betterment Club, Pleasant Homes, American Legion, Barnes City Fire Department, and Barnes City Community Church. Marvin was a current member of Barnes City Fire Department for over 45 years and the Barnes City Legion. Marvin believed living in a small town meant “dues to pay,” do your part. He once had an EMT license for the fire department. Marvin asked Jesus into his heart as an elementary student but made it real in 1976. He enjoyed teaching the adult Sunday school class and had served as interim pastor the last few years.
After retirement, Marvin enjoyed traveling with Doris, seeing different parts of this great country. He had a recent interest in the Civil War and had been to several sites. He also enjoyed photography and recently photographing Iowa Freedom Rocks. He had been to 81 sites as of September 2023 and had started printing collages of the Freedom Rock sites. Marvin also enjoyed history and historical sites. He also wished he still had his turquoise 1963 Impala SS. Most of all, Marvin loved his wife and daughters and their families. In 2019, Marvin and Doris took a special trip in the summer to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains with family. Marvin was a self-taught drum player and played at church services.
Marvin is survived by his mother Doris Jean Freeborn of Altoona; his wife Doris of Barnes City; his daughters Angela (Clayton) Smith of Pleasantville and Karen (Laverne) Smithson of Stanberry, MO; his grandchildren Emily (Riley) Riedel, Marissa (Graysan) Peneston, Sierra Hallmann, Samuel (Jess) Hallmann, Calvin, Vincent, and Trevin Smithson; great-grandchildren Lizzie and Olivia Riedel, Theo Peneston, and Harper Hallmann; stepgrandchildren Alex Smith, Cody Smith, Dylan (Cadence) Hildreth, and Norman Smith; stepgreat- grandchildren Brandon Sorter, Katy and John Smith, Lila and Arlo Hildreth; his sister Mary Kirk; his sister-in-law Laurie McMahan; and many other relatives and friends.
Marvin was preceded in death by his father Sheldon Freeborn.
