Van Arkel, Eldon Lowell, Maj. Ret. – 1944-2009

CARR, INGERSOLL, PENDER, VAN ARKEL

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/11/2010 at 14:57:19

Maj. Eldon Lowell Van Arkel, Ret., passed away on Dec. 5, 2009 at ViaChristy St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. Death was caused by a heart attack.
Eldon was born in Newton June 23, 1944 to Mary and Elmer Van Arkel. He graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1962 and entered Iowa University where he joined ROTC. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in accounting, was commissioned 2nd Lt. on Aug. 8, 1967 and began active duty with the Army in September of 1967. He was stationed at Ft. Sill, Ark., for Basic J Field Artillery Officers Training and was then sent to Germany for two years. He was promoted to 1st Lt. And given command of the 155mm Howitzer A Battery, 2nd Bn Field Artillery while stationed in Fuerth Germany.
Later he was sent to Goeppingen, Germany, where he became Headquarters Commandant for the 5th Armored Division. He was sent to Vietnam in 1969 and served with the 101st Airborne and 108th Field Artillery Group. While there he was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal and the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge).
In 1972, he returned to the states and attended flight school in Oklahoma while teaching gunnery at Ft. Sill for eight weeks and later joined his local National Guard. He reentered the University of Iowa and received an engineering degree and was made Captain in the Rock Island, Ill., unit of the National Guard. He was later promoted to Major and retired as a Major at age 60.
He loved the military and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Elmer Van Arkel.
His sururvivors include his sister, Francene Ingersoll of Waukee, Iowa,; one niece, Mrs. Brock (Melanie) Carr of Jefferson City, MO; three nephews, Michael Pender of Baxter and Martin and Jon Pender of Newton; as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
A private committal service for the cremains will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa, at a later date.
Source: Newton Daily News; Wednesday, December 30, 2009