Obituary: Martin Labath

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Martin P. Labath, 71, of Lost Nation, and formerly of Park View, left this world at home on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.  Marty entered the sacred portal, amongst the stars he loved so much, to experience joy, peace and the love of God.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge.  Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.  A celebration of life will be held this summer on Sunday, Aug. 6, at Scott County Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jackson County Hospice, the University of Iowa Palliative Care Specialty Department. (https://uihc.org/services/supportive-and-palliative-care) or to Wounded Warriors (support.woundedwarriorproject.org.)

Marty was born Jan. 29, 1952, in Davenport, the second of eight siblings of John and Suzanne (Petersen) Labath.  He married Barbara A. Quilty on July 2, 1977, in Rock Island.  The highlights of his work life included being manager of the former Clayton House, located “at the foot of the Government Bridge,” sales representative at Main at Locust Pharmacy, and truck driver at Scott County Ready Mix.  Due to health issues, he retired in 2012.

What was most important to Marty was not what he did or accomplished in life but how he made you feel.  He was fun and a very funny, good-natured man.  His sense of humor was one of his greatest assets and what endeared him to others.  Family and family gatherings were of utmost importance.  Especially the yearly gatherings with poker playing, euchre, campfires and being a grill-master.   Music was his first love.  He played an amazing guitar. He wrote songs and poems about love and life.  He has left these as his legacy of words for his family and friends to ponder and enjoy.  Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on.”  Play on Marty!

Those left to honor Marty’s memory are his adored wife, Barbara; beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher (Amy) of Muscatine, and Timothy (Sheila) of Chicago, Ill.; cherished grandchildren Summer and Savanna of Muscatine, and Evan and Ellis of Chicago; his dearest sisters, Josephine Labath of Moline, Suzanne (Ron) Fritz of Scottsville, Ky.; his much loved brothers, John (Cathy) Labath of Long Grove, Bert (Gail) Labath of Lumberton, Texas, Bill (Shannon) Labath of Jefferson, Iowa, and Tony (Judi) Labath of Greensboro, N.C.; his dear sister-in-law, Margaret Labath of St. Charles, Mo.; and a host of treasured nieces and nephews, who called their “favorite” Uncle, Wacky.

Marty was preceded in death by an infant sister, Cecelia, his parents and his brother, Pete.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Martin’s obituary at McGinnis-Chambers.com.

 

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Martin Labath, Chambers Funeral Home, obituary

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