Obituary of Marvin D. Hartwig

The Johnson County community has lost a kind and generous man with the passing of 84-year-old businessman, Marvin D. Hartwig, of 21 Pentire Circle, Iowa City. Marvin “Marv” died at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, after an extended illness. Marv’s memorial service will be held, 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 27, 2008, at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church on Melrose Avenue in Iowa City, with the Reverend’s Mark Martin and Kyle Otterbein Officiating. Visitation will from 4 to 6pm Saturday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to in Marv’s memory to The American Cancer Society, the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation or Iowa City Hospice. Marvin donated his body to medical science at the UI College of Medicine. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Marv is survived by his wife and true friend, Sally Mathis Hartwig, a brother, David (Wyonna) Hartwig, Iowa City; son Brad (Linda) Hartwig of Marion, Brad and Linda’s daughters, Stacey, Ashley and Janelle, to whom Marv was “Papa”; two nieces, Bonnie (Ray) Jarrett of Columbia MO. and Dixie Heiser of Cedar Falls; four nephews, Kevin (Anita) Hartwig, Gregg (Angie) Hartwig, Randall Hartwig, all of Iowa City and Marc (Sharon) Hartwig of Cave Creek, AZ and their families. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Marvin (Nadine) Vorba of Tulsa, OK and Stanley Vorba of Albert Lea, MN. Sally’s children who survive him are Jeff (Donna) Schuldt, Iowa City; Joy (John) Johnson of Mason City; Gabe (Natalie) Schuldt, Skandia, MI. Mark (Liz) Mathis, Cedar Rapids; Randal(Bill) Klaproth, Arlington Heights, IL, Sally’s 9 grandchildren and her sisters, Marolyn Bogert, Marion, IA, Sue Magee, Westminster, CA and Carolyn Gabrielson, Sheldon, IA. Marv is preceded in death by his parents, Agnes (Kokesh) Hartwig and Henry Hartwig; his loving wife of 47 years, Verna Vorba Hartwig, daughter, Wendy Hartwig Zumalt and his sister, Evelyn Hartwig Stejskal. Marv Hartwig was born in Clutier, Iowa, January 2, 1924. Marv was a young man when cars became his passion. He worked in his family’s dealership, Hartwig Auto in Clutier while he was just a high school boy, selling DeSoto-Plymouth cars. After returning from WWII and the Korean conflict where he served in the US Army service as a motor mechanic in the Southwest Pacific, Marv became partner in the Hartwig Auto Company in Clutier, IA. He and his brother, David, known as the “Hartwig Boys,” eventually established Hartwig Motors in Iowa City. After selling Hartwig Motors to his brother, Dave in 1979, Marv established MHI Incorporated and later the Iowa City Auto Center. Marvin loved going to work each day to buy, sell and service automobiles until he retired at age 81. Marv held various offices in the National Auto Dealer’s Association (NADA) and the Iowa Automobile Dealer’s Association (IADA). He was a member of both groups for 45 years. In late years Marv was active in the NADA Charitable Giving Foundation. He also worked with the Iowa Good Roads Association for seven years and played a role in the NADA/IADA planning of the Avenue of the Saints. Marv’s philanthropy, volunteerism and community activism is legendary in the Johnson County area. He served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, Iowa State Bank & Trust, Systems Unlimited, Boy Scouts of America, Johnson County Red Cross and Oaknoll Retirement Home. He organized fundraising campaigns for the American Cancer Society, Junior Olympic Games and the Children’s Miracle Network. Marv was the President of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce in 1975 and served as a member for 42 years. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Coralville-North Corridor and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Marv was honored with the “Service to Mankind” award given by the Sertoma Clubs of Iowa City in 2005. Marv was an avid Hawkeye fan, a Golden Hawk and a member of the UI President’s Club as well as a long time supporter of Hancher, the Museum of Art and the Colleges of Nursing and Business. Marvin was loyal to his choice of politics and called himself an “unapologetic Republican.” He was forever upbeat, active and extroverted. Marvin always had a song in his heart that sometimes we all could hear.