LARKIN, Donald E. (1921-2005)

LARKIN, CHIVERTON, BOWERS, MURPHY, BROOKS, PTACEK, STIFEL, KOZISEK, FORMANEK, WESSELS, CLOS, CLARK, DIETRICH

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/11/2016 at 15:08:00

Donald E. Larkin, 1921-2005

December 7, 2005

Donald E. Larkin, 84, of Garner, died on Thursday, December 1, 2005, at his home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 5, at the United Presbyterian Church in Garner, with the Rev. Linzy Collins, Jr. officiating. Music was provided by organist, Audrey Sonnenberg who accompanied Rev. Collins in a solo as well as congregational hymns. Harlan Carolus and Dave Hrubes ushered.

Honorary bearers were Kirstie Stifel, Lindsey Wessels, Jasa Clos and Jessica Larkin. Casket bearers were Michael Brooks, Shawn Larkin, Jay Larkin, Brian Formanek, Chadd Ptacek, Travis Ptacek and Lucas Ptacek. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Eugene Larkin, the son of Charles and Bessie (Chiverton) Larkin, was born on May 27, 1921 at Dixon, Illinois. He received his education in the schools of Dixon and Rockford.

On August 29, 1941, he married Elnore R. Bowers at the home of Elnore's sister, Lola and husband, Robert Murphy in Rockford. Don served his country in the U.S. Navy from June of 1944 to January 1946, being stationed in the Philippines aboard LST 895 as a gunner's mate. After the service, he returned to his job as a tool cutter for the Barber-Colman Company in Rockford.

In 1950, Don and Elnore moved to Garner where Don farmed for Ray Ford until 1956. Don worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a traffic weight officer from 1955 until ill health forced him to retire in 1982. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking. Don was a very generous and loving husband and father and was the world's greatest grandfather. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and the Garner VFW and American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Elnore of Garner; children, Karen Brooks of Urbandale, Debra (Gerald) Ptacek of Cedar Rapids and Major (Ret.) Kevin (Julie) Larkin of Davenport; grandchildren and their families, Kirstie Stifel and her three children, Madison, Morgan and Coleson, Michael (Sara) Brooks and their daughter, Reagan, Shawn Larkin, Jay Larkin and fiancee, Ashley Kozisek, Brian Formanek, Chadd Ptacek and his two children, Morgan and Patrick, Travis Ptacek and his daughter, Gabrielle, Lindsey (Robb) Wessels and their daughter, Berkley, Lucas Ptacek, Jasa (Jacob) Clos and their children, Nicholas and Isabella and Jessica Larkin and fiancee, Mike Clark; a brother, Richard (Joanne) Larkin of Rockford, Illinois; a sister, Betty (Jerry) Dietrich of Pecatonica, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Charles A. Larkin, July 3, 1949 and Donald F. Larkin, May 8, 1996; his parents; and three brothers, Irvin, Ted and Wilford Larkin.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2005