DAVENPORT, IA. —John William Ludtke, 95, a resident of Davenport, died Sunday, May 22, 2016, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf. A memorial visitation to celebrate John's life will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm, on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at the American Legion Post #26, 702 W. 35th Street, Davenport. Honoring his wishes, the rite of cremation has been accorded. Burial will take place at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal, on Friday, June 17, 2016, at noon. Family and close friends are invited to attend the burial; please join the family at Halligan McCabe Devries Funeral Home, 614 Main Street, downtown Davenport, before 11:30 am, to go in procession to the National Cemetery.

John W. Ludtke was born August 9, 1920, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Christian W. and Josephine (Holvenstot) Ludtke. John graduated from Davenport High School in 1938, and attended St. Ambrose College before enlisting in the Navy in the fall of 1942, where he was assigned as a Navy Pilot. With WWII ongoing, he served as a fighter pilot providing defense for the West Coast. John was later transferred to Aerologist training school where he learned how to forecast weather conditions on the Pacific Ocean. He was assigned as the only Aerologist to serve on the USS Lenawee attack transport ship in the Pacific. The USS Lenawee was assigned to Iwo Jima, where John compiled weather information for the troop landing. The USS Lenawee was also one of the ships in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Peace Treaty on Sept. 2, 1945. After the war, John was united in marriage to Lois Marie Fischer on Friday, May 13, 1949.

As a young boy, John started his working career at the family business, Ludtke's Printery, in downtown Davenport. Before the War he was a driver for the white fleet of the Daily Times. After the war, he was a co-owner of Hilson's Bowling Alley and manager of the alley's bar, "The Cowpath". Then in 1953, using his printing knowledge, he went to work at the Rock Island Arsenal in the Printing and Reproduction Department, where he was promoted to Division Chief in 1975, until his retirement in 1986. After his retirement, he worked as a freelance printer for his good friend, Randy Ridgeway, at Commercial Printers. In 2013, John was accompanied by Randy on the Veteran Honor Flight. John retired from Commercial Printers in early 2014.

John was a founding member of the Ki-Delta Club (a teen dance and activity club in the late 1930's), and the club’s local newspaper "The Tattler" (along with his sister Irene). He also competed in midget car racing.  Later, John and Lois owned and operated the Lucky "L" Pony Farm on Kimberly Road. He was one of the founding members of the Iowa-Illinois Pony Club in the early 1960's. John and Lois raised their four children on the farm and spent summers traveling around the United States to compete in pony shows. John enjoyed horses, airplanes, photography and baseball ("Go Cubs!"), and always had a dog by his side. The last few years, in his spare time, he wrote a memoir for his family and close friends about his war experiences and his time at the R. I. Arsenal.

Those left to cherish his memories include his loving wife of 67 years, Lois; and their children, Jon Jr. (Michelle) Ludtke, Kim (Nancy) Ludtke, Jonee (Robin) Jones, Lois Jr. "Lolly" Ludtke (the late Joe Dooling); grandchildren Crystal (Joe), Nate, Jayme, Kristina (Aaron), Brandon and Lexy; 5 great grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Patricia Maule and Marjorie Niepert; and a brother-in-law, Robert (Helen) Fischer.

John was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Willis, Willard and Woodrow, and a sister Irene Stroehle.

His family would like to express their extreme gratitude to his caregivers from Comfort Keepers, especially Daria and Erika, and good friend Bonnie, as well as all the wonderful nurses and staff at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Funeral mass was held at noon Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Viewing will be 1 hour prior to services. Graveside service followed at Soldotna Cemetery. Reception followed at Bill's home.

Eileen was born April 30, 1920 in Arthur, Wisconsin to William and Henrietta Lyden. She and her sisters (Ann and Pat) were raised on their parents' dairy farm where they each milked 10 cows every morning before school. Eileen was valedictorian of her high school class of 28. After the girls graduated from high school their father was adamant they receive a college education. Eileen graduated in 1942 from Whitewater State Teacher's College with a degree in business education. Eileen's first teaching position was in Gilmanton, Wisconsin (1942-44). She went on to teach at the Wisconsin State Reform School for Girls (1944-49). Because of her kindness and dedication, she had many special/maternalistic relationships with the girls at the reform school.

In 1949 she met and married her husband, Milton Schwager. Following his expanding career, they moved from Wisconsin to Davenport, Iowa in 1950. They began their family there, having three children: Bill, Bob, and Mary. Once the children were school age, Eileen returned to the work force doing party plan sales. She worked for Copper Craft Guild and Princess House; she was a regional supervisor and earned national sales awards. In April 1970, Eileen was widowed and then returned to her teaching career. She taught business education in the Davenport Public Schools. She was soon given the opportunity to design and be the lead instructor for a model office program that was part of a new, state-of-the-art vocational facility. She finished her career there, retiring in 1989.

Following retirement, Eileen enjoyed several years in the Midwest: traveling with friends and spending time with her grandchildren (Jennifer and John). At 74 she decided to move to Soldotna, to be nearer her three children who all lived in the area. After the long drive up the Alaska Highway, she spent 22 years enjoying Alaskan adventures (fishing and remote travel) as well as numerous international trips with her children. Especially, important to her was time with her family. She delighted in being present in Soldotna to watch her granddaughter, Kelly, grow up.

In October 2013, Eileen moved into Riverside Assisted Living in Soldotna. She enjoyed her new home, developing special friendships among residents and staff. Her relationship with the staff was especially meaningful to her; they showed genuine care, respect, and love. Her family wishes to express sincere thanks and gratitude to these folks as well as to Dr. Kelley for all his care through the years.

Eileen is survived by her children Bill (Nancy Courtright), Bob, and Mary (Bruce) King; grandchildren, Jennifer Padilla, John Schwager, and Kelly King; nephew, Chris (Priscilla) Lyden; and great-grandchildren, Dominick and Kaitlyn Padilla.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — John L. “Jack” Von Arb, 94, of Belleville, formerly of Davenport, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville.

Visitation is noon Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, with services 2 p.m. at Runge Mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.

Jack was born Aug. 27, 1921, in Seneca, Kan., the son of John Joseph and Viola May “Pansy” (Levick) Von Arb. He was united in marriage to Doris Ann Baehnk on Nov. 5, 1949, in Rock Island. She died March 26, 2002.

He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 235.

Jack traveled all over the United States selling magazines as his first job. He served in the U.S. Navy as a storekeeper in World World II on the USS Rapidan. He had fond memories of traveling to Casablanca while in the Navy.

Upon discharge from the Navy, he worked for the Railway Express Company. He held many different jobs, including owning his own restaurant, Donut Depot, working for Standard Oil/Amoco and eventually owning his own dump truck service. His CB handle was the “Jack of Diamonds.” He retired in 1986. Jack was quite the jokester and loved playing gin and euchre. He was very generous and a jack-of-all-trades. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan his entire life.

Survivors include his daughter, Cindy Ayers, Davenport; son, John (Phyllis) Von Arb, Davenport; daughter, Melissa (Scott) Smith, Belleville, and grandchildren, Alexis (Juan) González, Hannah Geurink and Matthew Smith; daughter, Betty (Jim) Warner, Garden Grove, Calif., and grandchildren, James (Kim) Ross, Dawn Ross and Robbie (Gina) McKay, seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; daughter, Jackie Von Arb, Gulf Breeze, Fla., and grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Saunders, Heidi (Michael) Santiago, Jennifer (Bryan) Rickles and Jordy (Briana) Von Arb, and eight grandchildren; daughter, Sherrie Woods, Davenport, and grandchildren, Tremier (Lisa) Woods, Monique Woods, Natalie (Neal) Smith, Archie Woods, 12 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nadine Moore, Glenpool, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; infant daughter, Patricia; sisters, June and Nedra; and son-in-law, Paul Ayers.

Memorials can be made to the American Lung Association, Alzheimer’s Association or Memory Care Home Solutions. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com.