Cram, William Marion

William Marion Cram was born March 1, 1927, in Millersburg, Iowa, a son of William Minor and Edith Pearl Taylor Cram. Marion grew up in the Millersburg and North English community and attended school in North English. He served in the US Navy during World War II. Marion married Elaine Marjorie Faas on June 5, 1947, at the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church, near North English. Marion farmed for 30 years and was a rural mail carrier for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church where he served as an usher and trustee. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was so faithful about looking after Elaine during her illness. Marion died Monday, April 8, 2013, at Valley View Assisted Living in North English. He lived 86 years.

He is survived by two daughters, Marsha (Kelly) Newhouse of Robins and Merna (Don) Sellers of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Todd Newhouse, Chad Newhouse, Brad Unkel, Tara Snyder, Lisa Michalec and Leah Lind-Cram; 14 great-grandchild; and a sister, Phyllis Jordan of North English.

Marion was preceded in death by his parents, wife Elaine in September 2008, a son David Cram and sister Cleone Williams.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English, with Pastor Edwin Jordan officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednedsay at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Millersburg Cemetery.

A general memorial fund has been established.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette April 9, 2013.