Michael D. Marlin

Michael D. Marlin

Cedar Rapids

Michael D. Marlin, 81, of Cedar Rapids, passed away June 23, 2023, in St. Luke’s Hospice Center, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with a vigil at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Marion. Burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Military rites provided by American Legion Post 298, Marion. A livestream of the mass can be viewed at youtube.com/live/2gkjsZgRBlU?feature=share.

Michael is survived by his wife, Nan, of 59 years; a son, Jeffrey (Deb); a daughter, Kara; brothers, Francis (Carol) and Bill; sisters, Kathleen Church and Theresa Wheatly; two grandsons, Austin Marlin and Aidan Hruska; two granddaughters, Meghann Hruska and Taylor Marlin; sister-in-law, Judy; and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, John Marlin Sr. and Dorothy (Marlin) Dawkins; stepfather, Richard Dawkins; brothers, Robert and John; sister, Rose Marie Dinkleman; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Vivian Lockett; and special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Mike was born Aug. 24, 1941, in Keokuk, Iowa, and graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School in 1960. In high school, he was an outstanding basketball player and made All-State Honorable Mention in 1959 and 1960. He later joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam Era. He was proud to be in the Air Force and in 2021 he went on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his son, Jeff, and his brother, Francis and nephew, Steve.

After serving his country, he attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1970. He then started his career as a special agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, where he had a number of notable cases over the years. Mike was a dedicated agent and was proud to be a part of the DCI. One of his proudest moments was when he was on the security detail for Pope John Paul II in Des Moines in 1979. He was also on security details for Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan and Bush, as well as many other dignitaries. He retired in 1994 after 24 years.

Mike enjoyed being involved with the DCI’s 100th anniversary in 2021.

In 1994 he established his own private investigation business, Marlin’s Special Investigations, Inc., until his son took over the business 14 years later. As he was in the DCI, he was a dedicated private investigator and solved many cases with the most notable being the murder of Patty Howlett and became good friends with Patty’s parents.

Mike loved being involved in his community. He was an advisory board member of the Salvation Army for several years and enjoyed the service he could give them. He also was a member of the Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers Board, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Cedar Rapids West Rotary, member of the American Legion, an officer with the Iowa Association of Private Investigators and Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Iowa Death Investigators Association and a Charter member of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN).

Mike dearly loved his wife and soulmate, Nan, and his family and friends. Mike and Nan were high school sweethearts and always felt God had put them together forever. She will miss him so very much. Mike and Nan enjoyed many adventures together and loved boating and camping and the many friends they made. Mike love hunting, fishing, painting and photography. He was a jokester and he enjoyed life and making people laugh.

Mike also loved his church and his many church friends. He had a special place in his heart for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He prayed often for her intersession to Jesus to forgive all of his sins.

The family would like to thank all the medical personnel that helped Mike on his journey, Hospice of St. Luke’s, University of Iowa and all the doctors and nurses that took care of him.

The Iowa State Patrol will provide an honor guard.

Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa, Salvation Army or Matthew 25 Ministries of Cincinnati, Ohio. Please leave a message for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.