Colony, Mark Merrill

Mark Merrill Colony of Central City, Iowa, succumbed to an ongoing health condition at Crestview Acres in Marion, Iowa, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. He died peacefully surrounded by many close friends and family.

He was born on July 9, 1960, and was preceded in death by his parents, John Merrill Colony and Ruth Ann Holzinger (Colony).

He is survived by his two children, Raymond Earnest Colony (mother: Monica Dobling) and Vanessa Anne Colony (mother: Kristi Joyce).

He is also survived by his only sister, Martha Ann Colony-Smith of Ames and her husband, Bruce Smith.

He is also survived by his niece Amy Jacqueline Black and her husband, Jeff Black.

He is remembered in spirit by many relatives and friends. He shared many important life events with his “tractor-brother,” Rick Boyd of Hiawatha and they spent many hours laughing together.

Mark graduated from Midland Community High School in Wyoming, Iowa. He then completed his associate degree from Calmar Technical Institute, in auto mechanics. He practiced in the field for 32 years. In recent years, Mark developed his own snow removal and lawn service business helping local families care for their properties.

Mark was an outdoorsman at heart and spent many hours tending to his land, gardening, four-wheeling, snowmobiling and fishing at the pond on his property, most of the time with his children. He was able to guide his son, Raymond through many years of Boy Scouts as a Scout Assistant Leader, eventually culminating in Raymond attaining his Eagle Scout Award. Mark enjoyed seeing his daughter, Vanessa participate in choral activities over the years, as well as her recent volleyball season.

Services will be held at Central City United Church of Christ Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m. There will be a small luncheon following the services. Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, will be handling arrangements.

Any donations can be donated to Crestview Acres, 1485 Grand Ave., Marion, IA 52302 or to the American Cancer Society, in Mark's honor.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 14, 2012.