Obituary of Lawrence Calkins

Lawrence A. (Larry) Calkins, 92, died peacefully at Windmill Manor in Coralville on Saturday, March 7, 2015. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 10:30 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 11th. from 4 to7pm at the funeral home. A memorial fund for the family's use has been established. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Lawrence Allen Calkins was born January 12, 1923 in Iowa City, the son of Seth A. and Dorothy C. (Bittner) Calkins. He graduated from Iowa City High school in 1942. After serving three years in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII (1943-1946), he returned home to Iowa City and was united in marriage to Lucille Mae Hamer on April 26, 1947. He worked for Goodfellow Sign and Neon Co. as a sign painter and neon serviceman, later at University of Iowa Graphic Arts department in East Hall and after that he was a sign painter at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He loved being around his children and grandchildren. He had lots of hobbies which included hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, wood carving, pin striping cars, letter painting, metal detecting for coins, building model aircraft and looking for Native American artifacts. He is survived by his son Craig (Laurie), grandchildren: Tricia Kiser, Pamela Kiser-Burch, Amanda (Justin) Bender, Chris (Melissa) McClure and Alex (Sandra) Brown, seven great-great grandchildren and one brother Donald Calkins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, daughter Gail Kiser, brothers, Willis and Terry Calkins and sisters, Doris Moeller and Delores Neider.