Alvin L. Arthur

Alvin L. Arthur, 79, of Clarion passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Careage of Clarion in Clarion.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at First Lutheran Church, 420 1st Street North West in Clarion, with Stan Watne officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Alvin Lee Arthur was born on December 5, 1931 in Fayette, Iowa to Gaylen and Bertha (Lundy) Arthur.  He attended Clarion High School and graduated in 1951.

On May 25, 1952 Alvin was married to Aileen Kalkwarf and to this union, three children were born: Christy, Cathy, and Carrie.  The couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this past May.

Alvin worked in construction and cement with his dad Gaylen until he became a salesman for Armour and Company.  He continued as a salesman for Gene Allen Printing and Sumners Insurance Company.

In 1974, Alvin and Russel Melhus started the Arthur-Melhus Insurance Agency and he retired from this company in 1995.

Alvin was a past president of the Jaycees (1960 – ’61) and a committee member for the Clarion Centennial Celebration of 1965.  He was also a member of the Lions Club, and at one time, served as a board member of the First Lutheran Church.

Alvin loved to go fishing with family and friends, and going on trips to Minnesota and Canada with those same folks.  He was also a member of the Clarmond Country Club for many years.  Along with golf, his other sport in his early years was bowling.  Alvin was an avid Hawkeye supporter.  He had a joy for cooking and gardening.  He loved his coffee group at Pizza Ranch, sitting around and “solving the world’s problems.”

His family was so important and the love of his life.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Aileen; daughters: Christy (Jeff) Foreman, Cathy (Mark) Cramer, and Carrie (David) Daniel; eight grandchildren and their significant others: Sarah Drury (Joseph Cotter), Jon (Shabnam) Drury, JT Foreman, Marci (Trent) Cooper, Kelly Cramer, Brandon Cramer, Genna Daniel, and Gavin Daniel; and six brothers:  Elmer, Archie, Lelon, Leo, Gale, and Wayne.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers:  Eldon and Larry; and his sister Sadie Scott.