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Gordon “Chip” Finders Jr., 80 of Marshalltown, IA passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 17, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Inurnment will be held at Lower Blue Point Cemetery south of Grinnell, IA at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Gordon Ward "Chip" Finders Jr. was born on August 16, 1945, in Chicago, IL to Gordon Ward and Irene Marie (Michalsen) Finders. Chip was raised in Ferguson, IA and Marshalltown, IA, graduating from Marshalltown High School in 1963.
Chip went on to serve his county by joining the US Navy. He enlisted on July 29, 1963, and was honorably discharged as an MM3 on September 15, 1966, serving on the USS Dyess off the coast of Vietnam.
He returned home to Marshalltown and worked at local manufacturing companies, retiring from Dunham Busch (MEPCO) in 2007. While working at Dunham Busch, Chip invented an easier way to refit steam traps. Chip was very proud that he has a patent for that invention.
Chip married Diane Pritchett on November 16, 1968. They had two sons, Michael and Stephen, and became guardian of his niece, Kristin, after the death of her mother, Nancy, in 1979. After Chip and Diane divorced, Chip married Sharon (McGowan) Vry on November 22, 1996. With this union, Chip gained two stepsons and two stepdaughters. After Sharon passed away, Chip married Kay (Saunders) Eker on October 22, 2016, and he gained another stepson.
Chip was already skilled in construction and finished several basements before studying Engineering and Drafting at MCC. He completed work on his home, remodeling his entire house and building a new garage. When asked what his hobbies were, he'd say, "I like fixing things".
Chip is survived by his loving wife, Kay, two sons, Michael (Alyssa) Finders and Stephen Finders, two granddaughters, Emma and Clara, two siblings, Jim Finders and Laurie (Brian) Hoing, sister-in-law, Linda Finders (Doug's wife), all five stepchildren and their spouses, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Irene, his wife Sharon, his sister Nancy, his brothers, Gary and Doug, and his sister-in-law, Charyl Finders.