Raymond E. Glynn

Ray E. Glynn, 97, longtime Marshalltown educator, died in the presence of his daughters on the evening of Monday, October 31st, at the Grandview Heights where he has resided since 2008. Memorial services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 7th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Lansing, Iowa. Full military honors will be presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #839 and by American Legion Posts in the Marshalltown area. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on June 21st, 1919, in Waterville, Allamakee County, Iowa, he was the son of Sam and Betsy Glynn. His dad worked for the CMSP&P Railroad and the family lived above the depot. He graduated from Waterville Consolidated High School in 1937 a place he began developing his leadership skills as President and Secretary. He later attended Luther College in Decorah and Iowa State before taking time to serve our country honorably in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII as technical support in Nevada and California. Ray returned to Iowa State and graduated with his Bachelors Degree in Industrial Education. While at ISU, he met Irene, the love of his life. The two were united in marriage on August 18th, 1946, and were blessed with three children- Mary, Karen and Craig. After marriage, the young couple moved to Burlington, Iowa, where Ray taught at Oak Street Jr. High for two years and then moved to Marshalltown in 1948, teaching in the Sr.-Jr. High Schools until retiring in 1986. He also taught at the Marshalltown Junior College in 1948. During the summers of 1953-1955, Ray attended summer classes at Stout State Institute at Menomonee, WI, to earn his Masters Degree in Industrial Education. Ray Glynn was a born teacher- a career he was passionate about, and was justifiably recognized for. In 1963, he was Marshalltowns Teacher of the Year and in 1975 Iowa Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year. He also served as President of the Marshalltown and Marshall County Education Associations. Ray was also instrumental in the community and was a well-recognized, familiar face. Since 1971, he has been an active member of the Marshalltown Evening Lions Club and served in all offices as well as receiving the Lion of the Year, Melvin Jones Fellowship and the Warren Coleman Award. He spent countless hours popping popcorn at the Meadowlane Mall, four years at the Emergency Food Box and 5538 hours of volunteering at the Iowa Veterans Home of which he received the Governors Volunteer Award. Upon his more senior years, Ray was active at Grandview Heights as their bingo caller and serving on the resident council as well as an official representative of Grandview Heights during the Oktemberfest parade. Being of a proud Norwegian heritage, Ray was a member of the Sons of Norway since 1983 at the Kong Sverre Lodge in Story City. He and Irene also visited Hallingdal, Norway, to improve his knowledge of his heritage. Mr. Glynn was also a man of faith who was a member of the Elim Lutheran Church in Marshalltown since 1948. He served in many capacities including President of the Congregation, Supt. of Education, Board of Deacons and Church Council as well as singing in the choir and contributing to the 100th Anniversary of the church festivities in 1987. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Mary (Larry) Reinker of Mesquite, NV and Karen Anttila of Indianapolis; four grandchildren- Eric (Fiance Sarah) Reinker of Grosse Ile, MI, Lisa (Eric) Smith of Nashville, TN, Erika Anttila of Chicago and Stina (Victor) Gutierrez of Indianapolis as well as his only sister, Coila Huffman of Ankeny (formerly Oelwein), and many friends. In death, Ray rejoined his parents, his beloved Irene who passed away in 2004, and son Craig in 2012.