Mabel Elizabeth Coxon was born Oct. 18, 1924, in Iowa City, the only child of Margaret Lucile Schenck Coxon and Walter Scott Coxon of West Liberty. She grew up in rural West Liberty, attending country schools before entering West Liberty High School, graduating in the Class of 1943. Mabel played the clarinet, was an active member of the 4-H club, and the Downey Baptist Church. While in high school she earned the “Normal Teaching Certificate” which certified her to teach in rural schools upon graduation from high school. She taught all grades, and kept the coal stoves going, in one-room schools for five years in the local area.
On Feb. 15, 1948, Mabel was united in marriage to Leroy Donald Marine in the first wedding held in the Downey Baptist Church, Downey, Iowa. Mabel and Leroy spent most of their married lives as residents of Nichols and Lone Tree, with one year spent farming with Mabel’s parents. Mabel and Leroy raised five children, Nancy, Patsy, Dwight, Wendell and Leonard.Mabel worked for several years at Ferrel’s Dry Goods, in Lone Tree. She was a member of the Downey Sew and So Club serving as treasurer until the age of 92, Downey Church Mission Circle, the Lone Tree Women’s Club, Fremont Homemakers and was active with the Lone Tree Presbyterian Church.
In addition to raising five children, Mabel enjoyed photography and video technology all her life. Her first photos were taken with a Brownie box camera belonging to her mother, and her most recent images were taken with her Apple IPads. Mabel began making movies of family and friends with an 8mm. camera in the 1940’s, many of which she transferred to VHS tapes in the 1980’s. Mabel embraced and mastered each new photo and video technology as it arrived. Mabel passed awayt on November 22, 2021.
Mabel is survived by her children and their partners: Nancy and Najeeb in Michigan, Patsy and Ricardo and Wendell and Christine in California, and Leonard and Sherri in Iowa; seven grandchildren; two step grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Leroy in 1985, and son: Dwight in 2013.
Due to COVID there will be no visitation. A private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice. The Snyder & Hollenabugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Lone Tree is caring for the family. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
