Arthur Sickels' Obituary
Arthur Lavern Sickels, son of Arthur Kenneth and Leona Williams Sickels, was born October 29, 1939, in Corning, Iowa. He departed this life Saturday, March 4, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-six years, four months, and five days. On March 29, 1964, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou McCoy, and to this union five daughters were born. His parents preceded him in death. Arthur is survived by his loving wife of almost forty-two years, Mary Lou, of the home; five daughters, Deirdra Carnall, and her husband, Tim, of Mansfield, Missouri, Devonna Francis, and her husband, Chris, of Stoutland, Missouri, Areatha Mahan, and her husband, Mike, of Hartville, Missouri, Deneane Smith, and her husband, Shane, and Dannette Moore, and her husband, Bobby, all of Mansfield, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, DeOndra and Heath Carnall, Rachell, Nathan, and Kayla Francis, Brett, Ethan, and Gavin Mahan, Clay and Hailey Smith, Billy, A. J., and Matthew Buford; a brother, Kenneth Sickels, and his wife, Doris, of Mansfield, Missouri; a sister, Eileen Walker, of Des Moines, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in the Corning, Iowa area and attended a rural one-room school for eight years and graduated from Corning High School. He then attended three years of college in Des Moines, Iowa. After he and Mary Lou were married, they moved back to the family farm to help his father. In 1966, they moved to northern Missouri for a few years and then made their home in Norwood, Missouri. In 1977, the family moved to Mansfield where Arthur farmed and also worked for the Tobin Hamilton Shoe Factory for almost seventeen years. After the factory closed, he worked for the Lily Tulip Company in Springfield until retiring after fifteen years. He and Mary Lou then moved to Hartville where Arthur could work with his daughter, Areatha. Arthur dedicated his life to the Lord in July of 2005 and was a member of the Fordland Church of Christ. His joy and love abounded from the fellowship of his brothers and sisters in Christ. Throughout his adult years, he was involved in raising poultry and attending poultry shows and swap meets. He belonged to the Southern Missouri Poultry Club, where he served as director. He was president of the Rogersville Swap Meet, which later moved to Fordland. In his spare time he enjoyed tending to his poultry, growing beautiful flowers, and reading. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Arthur was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Mansfield. Burial will be in the Mansfield Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 7 - 8:00 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Mansfield, Missouri.
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