Calvin John Van Arkel

Cal Van Arkel, 87, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and formerly Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Tulsa. Calvin John Van Arkel, son of Matthew C. and Gertrude (Kloosterman) Van Arkel, was born June 28, 1936, at his parents’ home in Section 16 of West Des Moines Township of Mahaska County, Iowa. He attended Star, Bald Prairie, and Beacon Schools and was a graduate of Oskaloosa Christian Grade School and a 1954 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. He attended Central College for two years and then William Penn College, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1986. While initially at Penn, Cal worked at the Garland Funeral Chapel. There, he was introduced to funeral service as a vocation and went on to attend the Dallas Institute-Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1959. Cal returned from Texas and began working for Art Garland at the chapel; he received his Iowa Funeral Director’s License in 1960. Cal purchased the chapel from Art in 1973, and in 1984, David Langkamp joined him as a partner. Cal served the community in their time of need for over 42 years. Later, Cal extended the same offer to Dave Langkamp, owner of Langkamp Funeral Home, with his wife, Shawn, and son, Andrew, and retired from funeral service in 2001 but continued to assist Dave for another four years. Cal received his 50-year Funeral Directors Licensee recognition at the Iowa Funeral Directors Convention in 2010. Cal married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Marilyn Veatch, on August 3, 1957, at the Central United Methodist Church. Cal was a devoted husband and father who, alongside Marilyn during their 66-year marriage, raised three children: Jon William (Jo) of Springfield, MO, Linda Joy (Stephen) Van Arkel-Greubel of Tulsa, OK, and Ann Louise (John) Eisenman of Clinton, IA. They had eight grandchildren: Matthew Van Arkel, Case (Kelly) Van Arkel, Emily Eisenman, Laura (Tim) Eisenman McLaughlin, Christopher (Katie) Thompson, William Thompson, Andrew (Mackenzie) Thompson, and Katherine Greubel (Coby) Ross; and eight great-grandchildren: Grace, Margot, Leah, Annie, Nora, Blake, Catherine, and Damon. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews. In September 2020, Cal and Marilyn moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to be closer to their children. Cal actively supported his profession, attending conferences and conventions, serving on boards, and assisting in setting academic programming and standards at the state level. Cal served on the Iowa Funeral Directors Board of Governors and was a member of the Iowa State Board of Mortuary Science Examiners for many years. He was also a certified American Board of Mortuary Science Education examiner. He was instrumental in establishing a Department of Mortuary Science at DMACC in Ankeny and was on that Board of Advisors for several years. Cal embodied a work ethic unmatched. He was a man of high integrity. His hard work was one way that he could show his family his deep love for them. And he passed this trait on to his children through his example. Beyond his professional life, Cal found joy in his family, friends, and hobbies. He held Kansas City Chiefs tickets for decades prior to the successful Patrick Mahomes era, proudly supporting his team through many losing seasons. Fortunately, in his lifetime, Cal was able to experience the Chiefs become super bowl champions once again. The grandchildren loved attending Chiefs games with Grandpa and Grandma, win or lose, sun, rain, snow, or heat. The most fun part of the Chief’s games was tailgating with Grandpa and Grandma in the handicapped parking spot next to Arrowhead, drinking Coors, and watching the Rumble march by. An active father, Cal passionately attended his kids’ various events, from concerts to plays to scout and YMCA programs to athletic endeavors. He loved attending track meets. It was his favorite thing – especially when children or grandchildren were competing. Together, Cal and Marilyn traveled extensively to support their grandchildren. Cal and Marilyn attended the Drake Relays every year and sat in their favorite seats. They attended track and field championships as often as possible with children and grandchildren. Cal loved playing sports, especially basketball and, softball and running. Weekend softball games at Grant School, with Cal on the pitcher’s mound, were fun for the neighborhood kids of all ages. Cal could throw a mean pitch, fast or slow. Cal loved to run with his children. He could be seen running throughout Oskaloosa with one of his children by his side, but he was always two steps ahead. A man of faith, Cal sang hymns at Central United Methodist Church, where he and Marilyn exchanged their vows in 1957. His love for singing extended to joining the Mormon Tabernacle Choir TV Broadcast when he would sing along with them. Cal’s weekdays included the daily morning coffee break at Stapps Drugstore and later Hy-Vee with his many friends, where they would solve the world’s problems and talk politics. Cal loved building the log cabin and living on the farm with Marilyn. It was a lifelong dream of his. In his garage, he tinkered with lots of stuff and coffee tins filled with rusty nuts and bolts and screws and treasures like the dozen ax handles hanging in his garage and cast-iron skillets of every size which he found at auctions, his favorite pastime. His grandchildren loved visiting him at the farm where they could ride the four-wheeler and explore, play with Duke and Freckles, fish or paddle boat in the ponds, and herd the ducks. Cal loved to fish in the ponds on the farm he created and stocked with his favorite fish. Cal would drive his blue Chevy truck around the farm with beloved Duke or Freckles close behind. Cal collected antique tractors, large and small. He loved his tractors, driving them around the farm to accomplish various tasks. The large ones were often stranded around the farm, stuck and needing some TLC to get going again. The small tractors lined the shelves of his office. Among the animals he loved were dogs Van, Snoopy, Duke, Freckles, and the memorable poodle Squeaky, despite an initial protest. Cal and Squeaky were constant companions. Childhood ponies like Bud Blossom and Pokey and, later in life, horses Dick and Beauty, along with the barn cat Fluffy and kittens Stars, Stripes, and Forever were his friends. Cal loved to sit with the cats on the farm in the sunshine and nap while the kittens played nearby. He loved raising the chickens and ducks that made their homes at the farm. Calvin and Marilyn cherished their travels, with Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lodge, and Cabo San Lucas holding special places in their hearts. European tours and fishing expeditions resulted in legendary adventures and fish tales shared over and over again with family and friends. Friends were important to Cal. In high school, he was part of the “Clan” of five boys who became close friends, including Steve Bell. Cal cherished his friendship with Steve Bell over the many years as they stayed close and in contact. Cal was active in many organizations in Oskaloosa; he was a member of the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1977. He was a William Penn University Board of Trustees member for over 30 years and was chairman of the building and grounds committee. He was a 50-year member of the Elks and served as PER. He was a 50-year member of the Mahaska Masonic Lodge 644 AF & A.M. He was a member of the Mahaska Community Health Board of Health for over 15 years. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church since 1957. Cal’s commitment to the community extended to William Penn University, where he and Marilyn, proud alumni, backed athletic teams and academic initiatives. In addition to his parents, Cal was preceded in death by two sisters, Wilma Mae Vandegeest and Beatrice Ann Binford. Cal was proud of his Dutch ancestry and always said you ain’t much if you ain’t Dutch. Cal was immensely proud of his Uncle Art, who was killed in World War II and awarded the Purple Heart. We remember Cal’s unwavering love and countless memories that will forever echo in our hearts. Although home was always where Marilyn was, while living in Tulsa, Cal missed his Iowa home. After living in Tulsa for three years, Cal is finally able to go back home to Oskaloosa. Funeral services for Cal will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2 pm, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Jon Nelson of Central Church officiating. Cremation will follow the service, and burial of his ashes will be at a later time at Forest Cemetery. Open visitation will be held on Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 1 to 2 pm on Saturday. Memorial contributions can be made to William Penn University or Central United Methodist Church.

Calvin John Van Arkel

June 28, 1936 - November 28, 2023