James Henry Van Arkel

James Henry Van Arkel

James Henry Van Arkel
January 06, 1921 – July 06, 2018
Malcom, Iowa | Age 97
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

James Van Arkel, 97 of Malcom, Iowa, passed away Friday, morning, July 6, 2018 at his home. James Henry Van Arkel, the son of John and Hattie (Van Kooten) Van Arkel, was born on January 6, 1921 on a farm west of Lacey, Iowa in Mahaska County. In 1931, the family moved to a farm 6 miles south of Montezuma.

After graduating from Montezuma High School in 1937, Jim helped his father on the farm until joining the United States Army in 1942. He served just over 3 years in the 13th Armored Division during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1945.

On March 10, 1946, Jim was united in marriage to Doris Henkle at the Montezuma United Methodist Church.

Jim and Doris began farming in the Colfax and Prairie City areas for six years before moving to a farm west of Malcom in the Spring of 1952. Jim was a lifelong farmer and continued to farm and help out on the farm near Malcom until his death.

Jim was a charter member of the Montezuma Chapter of the FFA and won the Poweshiek County Soil Conservation award in the owner-operator division in 1964. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau since 1952, he served on the Malcom Farmer COOP Elevator Board for 12 years. He was also an active member of the Ewart Presbyterian Church from 1952 until it closed in Sept. of 2008. Jim also had a passion to support several charities.

His legacy will be honored by his children: Alan (& Kathy) Van Arkel of Plainfield, Iowa, Sandra (& Dan) Hibbs of Conrath, Wisconsin and David (& Tracee) Van Arkel of Malcom, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; four sisters: Esther (& Jim) Doonan, Ila (& Robert) Ketter, Carolyn Van Arkel and Joann (& Guy) Fortier; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris in 2010; his son, Craig Van Arkel; a grandson, Chris Van Arkel; and a brother, Howard Van Arkel.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the Montezuma United Methodist Church.
Burial will be at the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma.
Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Monday, July 9, 2018 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Iowa Food Pantry or it may be directed to the family for a Montezuma FFA scholarship.

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