Alvin Hoskin

Alvin William Hoskin, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Jan. 3, 1918, at Fort Scott, Kan., son of Alvin Monroe and Christina Blake Hoskin. He and Eileen Davied were married Dec. 30, 1939, in Springfield, Mo.

Mr. Hoskin graduated from high school in Mountain View, Mo., and attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. He taught school several years at Mountain View.

In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in World War II. His boot camp training was at Parris Island, S.C., then he enrolled in officers training school in Quantico, Va.

After graduating he was sent to the South Pacific, where he served two years in combat. He was company commander with the 3rd Marine Division and participated in the invasions of Guam and Iwo Jima, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to the United States in December 1945 with the rank of captain.

On Dec. 16, 1946, he was employed by Missouri Department of Conservation as a conservation agent in Lincoln County. In 1951, he was promoted to field service agent and sent to Cape Girardeau, where he served 11 counties in the Southeast District.

This involved working with farmers, agriculture agencies, 4-H, and FFA chapters, or anyone interested in improving wildlife food and habitat and conservation of our natural resources. He had a special ability to understand and communicate with people of all walks of life which earned him respect and support from all who knew him.

He received numerous awards during his conservation career, the latest one being the E. Sydney Stephens, which was presented in Columbia, Mo., in 1982. This was the highest award given in the conservation field. He was also honored by the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association for outstanding service for wildlife conservation.

At the FFA State Convention he was presented the Honorary State Farmer Award and has received many chapter awards from 4-H and FFA. He retired from the conservation department in January 1983, after 36 1/2 years of service.

In addition to his conservation career, he was a charter member of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau and served as president and lieutenant governor. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are numerous nieces and nephews.

Three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

Friends may call at Centenary Church from 9 a.m. to service time Monday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, he requested that memorials be made to the Missouri Chapter of Nature Conservancy, 2800 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63144.