Ivan W. Portwood Sr.

Oxford-Ivan William Portwood, Sr. was born on July 21, 1934, at his home in Oxford, the son of James and Lena (Kopf) Portwood. Ivan joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and proudly served until 1956. He was united in marriage to Claudia Faye Haman. They had four children, but later divorced. Ivan has lived in the Oxford area his entire life. When he lived in Marengo, he was often seen driving around town with the truck door open searching for his dog who had gotten loose. He has had many jobs throughout the years including a farm hand, owning a grocery store, was a butcher, a baker, a painter and was a talented carpenter remodeling several homes in the Oxford area. Ivan enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting rabbits and fishing, he would regularly attend movies on Sunday afternoons and loved traveling and driving for miles. When he was in the Iowa Veterans Home, he was feisty, ornery, and shared many stories of his lifetime antics, some of which were quite exaggerated. Ivan was a proud 70 year member of the Oxford Legion Post #537 and of the Oxford Masonic Canopy Lodge #290, becoming a third degree Mason in 1969. Ivan died Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown at the age of 90 years.

He is survived by his children, Jim (Jennie) Portwood of Williamsburg, Bill Portwood of Oxford, Tina (Rodney) Walls of Tiffin and Mark (Diane) Portwood of Homestead; 9 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Casey Walls, and 4 siblings, Emily “Dolly” Vana, James Portwood, Walter Portwood and Helen Richerson.

A Graveside Service will be held 11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Oxford Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Oxford United Methodist Church. A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Crematory in Marengo is caring for Ivan and his family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.