Shannon, Dean Dalton

Dean Dalton Shannon, 97, of Marion, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at Crestview Acres in Marion, following a brief illness, with his wife, Ida, at his side. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Family will greet friends from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, with a 3:30 p.m. vigil service. Burial: 2 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iowa City.

Survivors include his wife, Ida of Marion; two sons, Dean R. and Kevin J. Shannon; grandchildren, Robert, Jennifer, Ryan, Kevin, Sean and Kris Shannon, all of Iowa City, Keelin Albaugh of Hills, Kyle and Megan Harkness of Marion; a stepson, Thomas Spratt of San Diego, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Linda Spratt of Cedar Rapids and Allison Harkness of Marion; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Winifred; his parents; a daughter, Mary Jane; son, Joseph; and brothers, John Shannon and William Chalmers.

Dean was born June 27, 1913, the son of John and Dora (Voss) Shannon in Iowa City, Iowa. A graduate of Iowa City High class of 1932, he married Winnifred Spratt on May 10, 1935. She died in 1987. In 1988, after marrying Ida Spratt, he relocated to Marion, Iowa.

Dean started his lifelong career of service to the public in the CCC in 1933 at the height of the Depression. Dean was a member of the National Guard and during World War II, served in Navy Security in Iowa City. He began working for the Iowa City Post Office in 1948 and retired in 1980.

Dean excelled at athletics and was Iowa City's premier fast pitch softball pitcher for 20 years in the 1940s and 1950s. He played center on a basketball team that competed against the Original Harlem Globetrotters. His fraternal memberships included the Moose and Knights of Columbus.

A great storyteller, many were from his years as a mail carrier that he claimed he “enjoyed every minute of it.” A typical story was when he helped a senior citizen on his route who had fallen in their home. This is one of many instances where Dean was considered a friend and how he always provided assistance to his fellow citizens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Joseph Church, 1790 14th St., Marion IA 52302; St. Mary's, 228 E Jefferson St., Iowa City, IA 52245; and Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha IA 52233.

Please sign the online guest book for Dean at  under obituaries.