Byrne, Daniel M.

Daniel M. Byrne, 82, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, where a vigil service begins at 7 p.m., and one hour before the funeral mass Friday at the church. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion. Burial will be 1:45 p.m. Friday 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 and 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 Ryan, Iowa Veterans Memorial, or for the family's wishes.

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