Joseph Paul Fleming

Joseph Paul Fleming, 80, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, with a Rosary Service beginning at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the Old St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 995 5th Avenue in Marion, with an additional one-hour visitation beginning 9:30 a.m. Father Neil Manternach will officiate. A livestream of the service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and can be viewed by clicking on this link: https://youtube.com/live/dLwFjUQIPd8?feature=share. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Joseph (Joe) Fleming was born January 4, 1945, in Ryan, Iowa, to William Paul Fleming and Bernadine Marie (Keenan) Fleming. He was raised on the family farm in Castle Grove, the second of four children, and attended country school through the 8th grade. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Monticello, Iowa, before proudly serving with the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War. He served on the USS White Plains at Yankee Station, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Cam Ranh, and An Thoi, Viet Nam. He made ports of call in Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

After returning from the service, he attended and graduated from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids with degrees in social work and psychology. He was employed with the Linn County Department of Human Services for several years, before being employed with the Iowa Department of Human Services in its Cedar Rapids office, where he retired after 36 years as an Executive Officer and Licensed Master Social Worker, developing programs for vulnerable youth.

He was married to Virginia Sabers of Worthington, Iowa, on June 6, 1975. They moved to Marion, where they lived and raised four daughters. In his retirement, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening and keeping in touch with his Navy friends. What brought the most enjoyment to his life, however, was spending time with his family and six grandkids. He was a family man.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Margaret (David) Falconer of Kentucky.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters, Teresa Fleming (Andrew Schurko) of Conway, Arkansas, Mary Fleming (Darrin Rasberry) of West Des Moines, Iowa, Ann (Bryan) Harms of Cedar Rapids, and Jean (Josh) Maurer of Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Jonas and Alina Schurko, Madison Rhomberg, Bryson Harms, and Bennett and Louise Maurer; brother, David (Ruth) of Kalona, Iowa; sister, Suzanne (Roger) Johnson of Alexandria, Minnesota; in-laws, Ruth Jurgens, Loras (Jo Ann) Sabers, David (Kathy) Sabers, Lila (Steve) Geers, Joe (Mary Ellen) Sabers, and Dan (Debbie) Sabers; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hall-Perrine Cancer Center or Oldorf Hospice House.