Marlin Edwin Holmes

Marlin Edwin Holmes was born the second of three children to Elmer Edwin and Inez Catherine (Falk) on September 25, 1925 at their home in rural Essex, Iowa. On Wednesday, October 10, 2013, at age 88, Marlin entered into rest at his home in Shenandoah, Iowa. Marlin grew up on a farm outside of Essex where he attended Arbordale Country School, fondly named "Frog Pond." He graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1943, and in April of the same year was drafted into the U.S. Army. While in the army, he served as a Supply Sergeant in Osaka, Japan during the occupation until being honorably discharged in December of 1946. Upon returning to southwest Iowa from Japan, Marlin began farming and shortly after met the love of his life, Jacqualine Androy. Marlin and Jacqualine were married on June 12, 1949 and several years later blessed with the birth of their only daughter, Marlene. Marlin was a lifetime resident of Shenandoah and the Lutheran Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, fishing and helping his son-in-law and grandson farm. Carpentry, however, was his true passion. Marlin began his career in carpentry working at the Shenandoah Lumber Yard in 1959. From 1...[more]

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to 1964 he worked for Perfection Homes, where he supervised the construction of hundreds of homes. After leaving Perfection Homes, he established his own business, Holmes Builder and Supply under which he built numerous homes and six apartment buildings all in and around Shenandoah. During the mid 70's until the late 80's, Marlin also worked full-time for Brown's Shoe Fit Company remodeling their stores and building store fixtures. He completed his final apartment building in 1998. Marlin was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Elmarie (Holmes) Irvin and her husband Dale Richard Irvin. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Jacqualine; daughter Marlene (Holmes) Bashaw and son-in-law Joel of Shenandoah; brother Allen Holmes and wife Clara of Shenandoah; granddaughters Elizabeth Bashaw of Omaha, Nebraska and Heidi (Bashaw) Eide and husband Eric of Alexandria, Virginia; grandson Todd Bashaw of Shenandoah; and great-grandson Grayson Eide of Alexandria, Virginia; and many other relatives and friends. A memorial fund is being established to award a Vocational/Trade Scholarship in Marlin's name. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.