Arthur Docken

Arthur W. Docken, 81, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at his home.

He was born Dec. 13, 1924, in Edina, Minn., son of Arthur Hunter and Lila Annie Winter Docken. He and Dale Marie Coverdell were married Nov. 23, 1960, in Pasadena, Calif. She survives.

Arthur served during World War II in the 220th Engineering Battalion. He was a radio operator in France, Germany and Austria, sending and receiving messages in Morse code.

He was a minister for the Worldwide Church of God 40 years. He retired in 1996 and moved to Jackson.

Arthur volunteered for Stephen Ministry at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, enjoyed writing, and had just completed a screenplay. He also created a multimedia presentation of the life and Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose joy he longed to share.

Loving survivors include a son, William Benjamin (Richelle) Docken of Cincinnati, Ohio; four daughters, Abby (Jeff) Williams of Jackson, Judith E. Docken of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Lila Elizabeth "Betsy" (David) Bauman of St. Louis, Carrie Marie (Mike) Goff of Lake City, Mich.; a brother, Thomas Winter Docken of Wayzata, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, Zandra Docken, Nathan and Naomi Williams, Joshua, Kyle, and Aaron DeVries, Scott Bauman, Emily, Annie, and Clayton DeForge; and two former sons-in-law, Dan DeForge, and Rod DeVries.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassie Docken; three grandchildren, Joel DeVries, Ruth DeForge, and Austin Williams; and a sister, Lila Agnes Docken.

Friends may call Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Monday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with Karl Reinagel officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Southeast Hospice.