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03/20/2022
Marvin “Marv” D. Sloan, age 86, passed away on March 20, 2022, at Westridge Nursing Home in Knoxville, IA.
Marv was born October 10, 1935, at Givin, IA to Charles W. and Mae Sloan. Marvin was the youngest of five children and attended school in Monroe, IA where he graduated from Monroe High School.
He then went on to Iowa Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa, and graduated in 1958, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with certification in 7-12 science, social studies, physical education, coaching, and driver’s education.
Marvin was an avid athlete in both High School and College, focusing mostly on football, whereas at Iowa Teachers College he played both offense and defense.
He married his high school sweetheart, M. Jane McCauley in 1956, and together they had four children: Michael, Timothy, Sandra, and Patrick. His first teaching and coaching assignment was in Clinton, IA where he spent four years. They then moved the family to Calmar, IA where he spent five years at South Winneshiek High School teaching Science and coaching football and wrestling.
The family then moved to Pella, IA where he spent the next two years teaching US History and coaching football, wrestling, and track & field. Beginning in the fall of 1969 the family made their last move to Knoxville, IA where he taught Geography, and Drivers Ed and finished his coaching career. Many students stopped by his home recently to share the maps they had saved over the years they had made in their 7th-grade Geography class with him, and he loved talking to them about their time in his class and catching up with them.
In the last 5 years as head football coach, he led the Panthers to three South Central Conference Championships and an undefeated season in 1975, finishing the season ranked second in the State.
In 2010, Marvin was inducted into the Knoxville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2013 the 1975 Football team was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Marvin kept himself busy during the summers and football offseason by painting and doing home repairs for many local Knoxville families. He also officiated High School wrestling. He spent time during the summers traveling to different locations with his family camping along the way. After Marvin retired, his hobby was a scroll saw woodworking, and he most enjoyed his elaborate wooden plate designs and clocks which were given as gifts to his family and friends. Marvin was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and assisted with many church-building projects over the years. Marvin was a founding member of the Knoxville Lions Club, serving as president. He was also active in the KHS Booster Club. After retirement, he also spent time with friends and loved to golf.
Marvin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane; son Mike (Terri) of Loveland, CO; Sandy Barker (Mahlon) of West Des Moines, IA; Pat (Ellen) of Ottawa, KS; his brother, Keith (June) of Pella; 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Mae Sloan; his in-laws, Clare & Joye McCauley; his son, Tim; one grandson, two brothers, and his sister.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Knoxville, IA on Thursday, March 31st from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, April 1st at 10:30 am. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service. Graveside service will be at The Silent Cemetery in Monroe, IA following the luncheon. Memorials can be made to the family, who will be establishing a scholarship in Marvin’s name; or to Trinity Lutheran Church.