Arthur L. Conklin

Arthur L. Conklin, 70, a resident of rural Donahue, Iowa died peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at his home with his wife and two daughters at his side after a short battle with cancer.
Art’s request for no services or visitation will be honored and following cremation, his remains will be buried at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.
He was born July 17, 1936 in Bettendorf, Iowa, the son of Leo A. & Helen E. (Philippsen) Conklin Sr. and was a graduate of Bettendorf High School. On January 2, 1957, he was united in marriage to Betty J. Guenther in Seattle, Washington.
Art began employment at the Rock Island National Cemetery in 1970 as a groundskeeper and advanced through the ranks to become director of the Fayetteville Arkansas National Cemetery, the Keokuk Iowa National Cemetery, the Marion Indiana National Cemetery and returned to the Rock Island National Cemetery where he retired as Director in 1991.
His career in military service spanned 30 years beginning in 1954 with an 11-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps, a 17-year enlistment in the U.S. Army National Guard and a 2-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring in 1984 at the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Art was a Life-Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9128 of Bettendorf and a member of the Donahue American Legion Post 532. He served on the Scott County Sheriff’s Posse for 5 years and served as Ranger at the Scott County Park for 2 years.
In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, camping, NASCAR and taking care of his garden. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed watching the birds & other wildlife at his country home. Those who knew Art will always remember him as a man who did not mix words and who also had a terrific sense of humor.
Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife, Betty; his daughters, Geri Carter of Davenport, Iowa and Patricia (Jerry Hart) Conklin of Louisville, Kentucky; his grandchildren, Ryan Carter, Eric Carter, Adam Carter, Jacob Carter, Jesse Alexander & Joshua Delveau; his great-grandchildren, Gage Carter, Breanne Carter, Adam Carter & Michael Delveau; his sister, Sandy Lottermoser of Valencia, California; his brothers, Jack (Ginny) Conklin Sr. of Lancaster, California and Leo (Jane) Conklin of Bettendorf; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.
Art was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bill and Raymond; his sister-in-law, Ginny; his nephews, Timothy Conklin and Jack Conklin Jr;; his son-in-law, Kevin Carter; and his brother-in-law, Richard Lottermoser.