Arthur J. Van Patten

Funeral services for Arthur J. Van Patten, 79, of Davenport will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Cunnick-Collins Mortuary chapel in Davenport. The family will greet friends from 9:00 am until the time of service. Interment will be at Pine Hill Cemetery in Davenport. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion – Post #26. Arthur rejoined his wife in eternity at 2:35 pm on June 29, 2012. Arthur J. Van Patten was born June 7, 1933 in his parent’s house in What Cheer, IA the son of Lenora and Arthur Van Patten Sr. He went as far as the 11th grade in high school to later achieve his GED. He moved to Newton, IA and worked for Maytag. He was drafted to the US Army and served from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in Fort Devens, Massachusetts as a Company Supply Clerk assigned to the Signal Corps during the Korean War.After his honorable discharge, he met Shirley A. Hohenshell at a Fish Fry in Harper, IA in 1958 and fell hopelessly in love. Owned by the desire to win her heart he courted her for one year before they were married in Lancaster, Missouri in 1959. As the years grew so did their family and his love for the Hawkeyes. The Lord blessed the couple with 8 children.In traditional customs, Arthur worked while Shirley tended to the house and the children. He held numerous jobs to support his wife and kids, which included: Pepsi Co. as a route salesmen, tire salesman at Firestone, started his own garbage route in What Cheer, IA, Amana Bread as a route salesman, Goodyear Tire, a spray painter for Generator Company, a laborer at a lumber yard in What Cheer, IA, he installed lightning rods with his father Arthur Sr., a cemetery caretaker, a taxi cab driver, a car salesman in Newton, IA for Grollneck’s, Al Sausage, a maintenance man at the Horizon Homes in Davenport, IA, Tri City Blacktop, a route salesman for Home Juice and 7 UP (he was one of 7 UP’s top salesmen), a Corrections Officer at Oak Dale, an Auxiliary Police Officer in Coralville, IA, G&K Services, and started his own Pallet Company. He was a crossing guard for the City of Davenport until retiring in January of 2012 when his wife Shirley went home to the Lord on January 11, 2012.He is survived by his three Daughters: Lenora “Lee” (Bill) Jahns of Davenport, Luana (Steven) Genck of Washington, IA, Tina (Joe) Senftle of Darnstown, MD; three Sons: Steven (Theresa) Van Patten of Davenport, Ted (Paula) Van Patten of Goose Lake, IA, James (Laura) Van Patten of Cedar Falls, IA; a Sister: Jeanie Van Patten of What Cheer, IA; a Brother-in-law and two Sister-in-laws: Richard (Sharon) Schwertfeger of Fairfax, IA, Peggy Miller of North English, IA.Arthur is also survived by his 29 Grandchildren: Garrett (Ashley) Jahns, Joe (Alisha) Jahns, Mitch Jahns, Michelle Jahns, Steve (Jen) Genck, Derek (Amy) Genck, Jessica Brown, Jason Brown, Jenna Brown, Matt (Sarah) Senftle, Hope Van Patten, Joy Van Patten, Annie Van Patten, Connor Van Patten, Ted Van Patten Jr., Cameron Van Patten, Sara Van Patten, Carlie Dever, Jake Dever, Luke Dever, Abigail Van Patten, Grace Van Patten, Andrew Van Patten, and Emma Van Patten.Arthur had 11 Great Grandchildren: Austin Jahns, Bailey Jahns, Kayla Jahns, Hunter Jahns, Jackson Jahns, Jace Brown, Cooper Genck, Brayden Genck, Makayla Genck, Kieley Genck, Emi Louise Genck.In addition Arthur has numerous nieces and nephews consisting of the Hohenshell’s, Schwertfeger’s and Cavanaugh’s.In addition to Arthur’s parents and his wife Shirley Van Patten, he was preceded in death by his infant son’s Kenny Dean and Patrick.The family of Arthur wishes to give a special thanks to his nephew, Joe Hohenshell and his family for providing his love and support by assisting the family in prayer and devotion and leading the family in the remembrance and celebration of their father’s life.Memorials may be directed to the family.