Marvin E. Cocayne

Marvin Eugene Cocayne, 78, of Dubuque, IA, was called home into the grace filled arms of his Lord and Savior due to complications arising from a heart attack. He passed peacefully at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family & close friends.

In celebration of Marvin’s life, family and friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  Family and friends may gather after 9 a.m. at the church until time of service. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery; military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Marvin was born on January 23, 1945, in Dubuque, IA, to Mildred C. (Lehnertz) and John M. Cocayne. A special day to remember 01-23-45. He married Shirley Mae Thor on October 11, 1969, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dickeyville, WI. They met while he was an Orderly in Xavier Hospital’s ER after she was involved in a near fatal car accident. He served within the United States Navy achieving the rank of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class before being honorably discharged on April 8, 1966, and then served in the Navy Reserve until 1973.

He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School Class of 1963 and attended the University of Dubuque for one year. Marvin worked in the healthcare industry for more than 37 years, beginning his career at Xavier Hospital, Dubuque, IA, as an Orderly straight out of high school, leaving for military service, and returned to eventually become their Purchasing Manager until it closed. He continued his career at MercyOne Medical Center, Dubuque, as the Director for Environmental Service until he retired on August 15, 2000. He worked after retirement as the Head Bellman at the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark until 2017.

Marvin was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, holding several positions on Committees and the Church Council during his time. He was a charter member of the Dubuque Evening Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Award; he served as a past president, board member, treasurer and was actively involved in their service projects. He served on the Luther Manor Board of Director for many years, holding the office of Vice President this year. He played an instrumental role in the development and planning for Luther Manor’s Grand Meadows Campus expansion into Asbury, IA. Many will remember Marv for always being the one to motion for meetings to adjourn. He also enjoyed volunteering for the Special Olympics, Dubuque Schools – Field Trips and Washington Relays for 25 plus years, Leisure Service Events, and the Hempstead Booster Club.

He loved watching westerns, military movies and listening to old time radio. He enjoyed fishing and boating. Recreationally, he played slow pitch softball, volleyball, and bowled, all for 35 plus years. He loved vacationing yearly at Woman Lake, MN, with family and friends for more than 50 years. Marvin dedicated his life to his family, friends, and the Dubuque Community.

Marvin is survived by his son, Michael J. (Michelle) Cocayne, of Dubuque; daughter, Christina M. Cocayne, of Waukesha, WI; and granddaughters, Ashley, Kaitlin and Jenna; brother, John (Jan) Cocayne of Dubuque; sisters-in-law Pat Cocayne, of Dubuque, Jerrie Cheffer, of Bettendorf, IA, Carol (Jay Yusko) Thor, of Elgin, IL, Joan (Gordon) Thor-Gallas, of Monroe, WI, and Mary (Gordon) Moll, of Mauston, WI; brother-in-law, John (Sheri) Thor, of Bellevue, NE; numerous nieces and nephews, many great and several great-great nieces and nephews along with his beloved dog Nyla.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years Shirley M. (Thor) Cocayne; parents, John M. and Mildred C. (Lehnertz) Cocayne; brothers, James A. Cocayne, Dale A. Cocayne, and Gale A. Cocayne in infancy; sisters, Shirley A. Cocayne and Joann M. Cocayne both in infancy; and in-laws Quentin B. and Elizabeth M. (Meyer) Thor.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to either the Dubuque Evening Lions Club Vision & Hearing Fund or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank Pastor Ann Fritschel, of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the ER & ICU staff that cared for Marvin at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, Cardiologist Dr. Brian Loc and our rock through all medical discussions Bonnie Gorrell.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.