Mark Louis Fedler, 73, of Danville, died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Ft. Madison on Oct. 26, 1950, to Edmund G. and Delores Elizabeth Spiekermeier Fedler. On Aug. 2, 1986, he married Barbara Kay Crouch at First Baptist Church in Danville.
He attended St. Mary Catholic Schools and graduated in 1968 from Marquette High School in West Point. He attended Indian Hills Community College in the culinary arts program following his Navy service.
Mark joined the Navy Feb. 3, 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa where he was sent to boot camp in San Diego. He went to Steward School, served two years at Guantanamo Bay, then two years aboard an aircraft carrier where he was the Steward’s Cook. He was discharged Feb. 3, 1974. After high school, he worked at Freuhauf in Fort Madison for six months before enlisting in the service, then returned to Freuhauf after serving his country, then quit to go into law enforcement. He served the towns of Centerville, Columbus Junction, and Middletown, and retired as the police chief of Danville after twenty-seven years and nine months of service. During this time, he was also a cook at Jack Hamilton’s Supper Club. After retiring he drove a bus for the Danville school district and also worked in their kitchen, then drove a bus for the New London school district for four years.
He enjoyed fishing and mushroom hunting with Luke, Natalie and Hailey; in his earlier years spending time with his nieces and nephews; driving school busses; running the time clock for basketball games; and playing with his grand puppies Connor and Huxley.
He was a member of the Lion’s Club, Southeast Iowa Gas Engine Club, Casebine Credit Union Board of Directors and Danville City Council. He and his wife, Barb were inducted onto the Honor Wall at the Danville Hall of Fame in 2022.
Besides his wife Barb of Danville, he is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Luke) Parrott of Middletown; granddaughters Hailey Nicole and Natalie Corrine; siblings, Connie (Glenn) Ferrell of Fairfield, Pat Becker of Blue Grass, Kathy Hedger of Ft. Madison, Steve Fedler of Des Moines, John (Gina) Fedler of Mantua, Ohio, Mary (Kirk) Shannon of Stockport, Susie Gelsthorpe of Donnellson, Chuck (Kim) Fedler of New Haven, Indiana, Aggie (Bob) Anderson of Donnellson, and Tim (Shari) Fedler of Nokomis, Florida; brothers-in-law George Olsen of Sherman, Texas and Brian Humphrey of South Sioux City, Nebraska; aunt Lorene Fedler of West Point; mother-in-law Doris Crouch of Danville; sister-in-law Peggy (Doug) Fraise of Danville; brother-in-law John (Kerry) Crouch of Yarmouth; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; and his fur-daughter “Miss Bailey”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Christine Olsen and Lori Humphrey; two brothers, Ted Fedler and Ed, Jr. Fedler; father-in-law Lester Crouch; brother-in-law Jerry Becker; sister-in-law Pam Fedler; and nephew Mike Hedger.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London. Pastor Monte Knudson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the time of the service.