Franken, Arlin, 1948-1969

FRANKEN, VERMEER, BRUNSTING

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/20/2010 at 19:52:08

ARLIN FRANKEN KILLED IN ACTION IN VIETNAM
Steps on Booby Trap; Death Occurs July 17

Pfc. Arlin Franken, 21, of Sioux Center, was killed in action in Vietnam on July 17th according to a message received by his wife, Beverly, of Sioux Center Saturday morning, and also by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Evert L. Franken of northeast of Sioux Center.

Full details concerning his death were not immediately available, but the message from the Department of Defense said he stepped on a booby trap.

Pfc. Franken was attached to Co. C, 2nd battalion, 25th Infantry Division and had been in Vietnam since the middle of May. He was originally called into action with the National Guard and had undergone training at Camp Carson, Colo., prior to going to Vietnam.

The body is expected to arrive in Sioux Center either the latter part of this week or early next. Funeral arrangements are still pending. The Co-op Funeral Home of Sioux Center is in charge of arrangements. Services will be held at the First Reformed church here with the Rev. Jack Boerigter officiating and burial will be made in the Sioux Center Community cemetery.

Arlin was born in Sioux Center in February of 1948. He attended the Sioux Center Christian elementary school through the 8th grade and then attended Sioux Center Community High School, graduating in 1966. He was married to Beverly Vermeer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert J. Vermeer of Sioux Center in August of 1968. She has been employed at the Production Credit Association office here.

Surviving him besides his wife, Beverly, and his parents, are a sister, Harvella, at home, his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Art E. Franken of Sioux Center, and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. R. Brunsting of Hull.

Arlin is the second Sioux Center servicemen to lose his life in action in Vietnam. Pfc. Randy Schutt, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerritt P. Schutt of 421 Second Ave. Southeast, Sioux Center, was killed near Saigon January 31, 1968, while on duty as a military policeman.

Arlin had been scheduled to return home in November.

Source: Sioux Center News, July 24, 1969.
The obituary includes a photo.

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RITES HELD SATURDAY MORNING FOR PFC. ARLIN FRANKEN, 21

Funeral services were held at the First Reformed church here at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, for Pfc. Arlin Franken, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett L. Franken of Sioux Center, who was killed in action in Vietnam July 17, while serving with the 2nd Mechanized battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard.

Services were conducted by the Rev. Jack Boerigter and burial was made in Sioux Center Community Cemetery with the Co-op Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pfc. Franken had been called to active duty with his unit May 13, 1968. He received his training at Ft. Lewis, Wash., before being sent to Vietnam. He had been scheduled to return to the States in November.

Arlin was born in Sioux Center February 27, 1948, attended the Sioux Center Christian School and graduated from the local public high school in 1966. He later attended refrigeration school in Omaha. Arlin was married to Beverly L. Vermeer of Sioux Center on August 30, 1968, in Sioux Center. He had been in Vietnam about nine weeks when he was fatally wounded by a Viet Cong booby trap northwest of Saigon.

Survivors besides his wife and parents include a sister, Harvella, at home; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Arthur E. Franken of Sioux Center; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Brunsting of Hull. Arlin was a member of the First Reformed church of Sioux Center.

Arlin's body was accompanied to Sioux Center by Pfc. Anthony I. Hibma and the military assistant officer was Capt. Grant K. Johnson. Casket bearers were Philip Mouw, Edward Ver Burg, Arlo Van Kley, Anthony Hibma, Harold Driesen and Ronald Postma. The local Legion quartet sang at the funeral.

Source: Sioux Center News, July 31, 1969.