Brian De Silva

Brian de Silva, 76, of Gladbrook, Iowa, formerly of Beaman, passed away peacefully the evening of Wednesday, August 30, 2023 under the care of the Cedar Valley Hospice and his loving family and loving cat by his side.

Per the wishes of Brian and his family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of Mitchell Family Funeral Home and there will be no formal services. A burial for friends and family will be held by the family at Badger Hill Cemetery in Gladbrook on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a time of fellowship at the Gladbrook American Legion. Memorials may be directed to either the Cedar Valley Hospice or to the Badger Hill Cemetery in Gladbrook for new trees to plant. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Brian Wood de Silva was born on January 9, 1947 in Los Angeles, California, to parents Theodore Manuel de Silva and Barbara Jean Wood. His father passed away at a young age, and Brian was raised by his stepfather Dean McMartin. They family relocated to Iowa, where Brian graduated from Beaman Conrad High School. He was always a hard worker, and in additional to working for Grundy County as a maintainer for 23 years, he also did farming and trucking. Brian enjoyed tractors and guns, and was a member of the Smoky Ridge Muzzle Loaders, past treasurer of the Iowa Black Powder Federation and a member of the National Rifle Association. Brian was united in marriage to Pamela Somers in 1968. They divorced in 2015.

In second grade, Brian met a girl named Emily and they dated from seventh to twelfth grade before heading down different paths. Years later, fate brought them back together, and they were blessed to share the last several years of love together.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved Emily (Rowe) Northam; his two children: Brian King (Cari) de Silva of Marion and Lisa (Steve) Mahlberg of Glidden; grandchildren: Kolten de Silva of Marion, John Mahlberg of Dawson, Lauren (Andrew) Irlbeck of Pella, and Kristin (Nick Casey) Mahlberg of Marion; great-granddaughter: Navy and one great-grandson on the way. He is also survived by siblings: Brent (Janet) de Silva, Brad (Lynn) McMartin and Barbara “Babsy” McMartin (Paul Kruse).

Brian is preceded in death by his dad, Theodore de Silva; his mom and stepdad, Barbara and Dean McMartin; and his brother, Bruce de Silva.