Byrne, Daniel M.

Daniel M. Byrne, 82, of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Visitation will be Thursday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion from 2 to 8 p.m., where a Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m.

Funeral mass will be on Friday, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion at 10 a.m. Burial will be at 1:45 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery just south of Ryan.

Dan was born June 29, 1927, at St. Francis Hospital in Waterloo. After the death of his mother in childbirth, he was raised by his aunts and uncles Marguerite and Francis Sullivan, and Blanche and Harold Murphy. He excelled in the classroom and in football, baseball and boxing. Dan married Lois Reiss on June 5, 1948, in Ryan. They became the proud and supportive parents of 14 children: Richard of Seoul, South Korea, Randall (deceased 2002), Rebecca (Matt) Gannon of Davenport, Mary, Julie, Lori of Marion, Debi (Scott) Elmer of Bettendorf, Patricia (Ron) Iverson of Dubuque, Michael (Bonnie) of Davenport, Martin (deceased 1961), Terry (Elaine) of Davenport, Kimberly (Dan) Greder of Ames, John (Joan) of Bettendorf, and Michelle (Jason) Ribble of Iowa City. Dan was the proud grandfather to 15 grandsons and nine granddaughters.

Dan and Lois farmed for 22 years near Ryan, and he retired in 1989 after a 20-year career with Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. He was a loyal fan of the University of Notre Dame football team, the Chicago White Sox baseball team, and every team played on by his sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. Dan was a friend to anyone in need, and he always had a joke or story ready to entertain all in his company.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents William and Estelle (Sullivan) Byrne, and sister Della.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to the Iowa Veteran's Memorial in Ryan, or for the family's wishes.