Michael Alan Fleshman, 45, of Marion, IA, died Thursday, November 20, 2025. Michael passed away from a long fought battle of diabetes and myotonic (muscular) dystrophy. He was a beloved dad, husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and baseball coach.

Michael was born November 28, 1979, in Ames, IA, to  Vern and Kay (Bader) Fleshman. For most of Michael's early childhood, his family spent their time moving around the United States as his father was in the United States Navy. His family then spent later part of his childhood in Nevada, Iowa where they continued to raise Michael and his younger sister Mary Ann. During his adolescent years, some of Michael's favorite memories were made with Grandpa Glenn and their many fishing trips. This timeframe is where Michael's love of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears began. Michael graduated from Nevada High School in 1998. He furthered his education and baseball career at a variety of colleges, he finished his collegiate path with a degree in criminal justice.

On May 11, 2002 Michael joined Courtnie DeJong in marriage. They were blessed with four boys; Easton (22), Emmitt (20), Eaghan (16), and Elliss (14). From the time his first son was born to Michael's passing, he devoted all time to supporting his boys. Michael spent countless hours on baseball fields, in wrestling gyms, and supporting his sons from the stands no matter the activity. His passion for baseball founded the NW Iowa Little Hawks travel youth baseball team, where he coached his two oldest sons and their teammates. To Michael, this team was bigger than baseball, it was about the families, the memories, the young men, and sharing his passion for baseball with everyone he got the chance to meet. The sport of wrestling was introduced to the Fleshman Boys in 2008, where it has grown into a deep passion for all of them on and off the mat. This sport provided Michael many opportunities to cheer on his boys (or some may have considered it to be yelling). No family vacation took place without wrestling or baseball at the center.

Michael is survived by Courtnie; his sons Easton (Kortni), Emmitt, Eaghan, and Elliss Fleshman; his parents Vern and Kay Fleshman; sister MaryAnn Fleshman; grandfather Alan Fleshman; uncles Eric (Pili) and Marty Fleshman; cousin Addie (Dwight and children) Hinson; parent-in-laws Harold and Jo DeJong; brother-in-law Heath (Wendy and their children and spouses) DeJong; sisters-in-law Steph (Chris and children) Asche and Allison DeJong; and many other beloved family and friends.

Michael was preceded in death by 2 unborn children; grandparents GG Glenn and Marilyn Bader; grandma Eileen Duncan; aunt Andrea Seward; grandparent-in-laws Loren and Sylvia Harberts and Hessel and Anne DeJong.

Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Friends may visit with the family from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the church. For the visitation, please feel free to dress in your favorite sports attire, and we all know Michael would not approve of anything Iowa State :).

His generous nature and thoughtful character is still being seen by his final honorable act of donation through the Iowa Donor Network

Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre are assisting the family at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.