Vinton—Charles Marion “Izzy” Isbell , age 87, died peacefully Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Virginia Gay Hospital Nursing and Rehab from cancer and heart failure.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 11, 2009, at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton with The Reverend Ron Sumption officiating.
Charles Marion Isbell was born March 17, 1922 in Vinton, IA, the son of Charles and Edith Tharp Isbell. He grew up in Vinton and graduated from Lincoln High School. On April 27, 1945 he married Marion Waldorf in Vinton. Izzy and Marion were in the dry cleaner business for thirty-three years, the first fifteen in partnership with his brother-in-law, Neil Waldorf. He also drove school bus for the Vinton Community School District for thirty years.
As a boy, he sang in the Baptist church choir with his father and brother, George. He was a member of the Presbyterian church as an adult and sang in the church choir and was on the Board of Deacons. Izzy joined the Vinton Fire Department in 1947 and served as Fire Marshal and Captain during his time in the department. In 1986 he received the Governor’s Award for forty years of service to the Vinton Fire Department. In 2005 he was inducted into the Viking/Vikette Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in track and football. He was a volunteer with Hospice of Benton County and Hospice of Mercy. He was also an accomplished woodworker.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marion; his children, Steve (Leslie) Isbell, Fairbanks, AK, Dan (Kim) Isbell, Vinton, IA, Dave (Sheila) Isbell, Columbia Falls, MT, Matt (Jessica) Isbell, Polebridge, MT, Becky (Dave) Holst, Duluth, MN, Bob (Caroline) Isbell, WA; 26 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sons, Mike and Jim and brother, George.