VINTON:  Ralph G. Kerkman, 89, of Vinton and formerly of Van Horne, died Friday, December 19, 2008 at his home in Vinton of a sudden illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne with Rev. David Lingard officiating.  Interment will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Newhall with graveside military rites conducted by Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post #148 of Van Horne.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 3 to 6 PM on Monday.  A Memorial Fund has been established.
     Ralph was born February 6, 1919 in Eden Township, Benton County to Hubert K. and Helen R. (Jenkins) Kerkman.  In 1936, he graduated from the Van Horne High School.  He graduated from business school in Cedar Rapids in 1937 with a degree in banking.  He worked at the Van Horne Savings Bank from 1937 to 1941 starting as the youngest assistant cashier.  He enlisted in the Army in December of 1941 and received an honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant.  Ralph returned home to run the family farm in September of 1943 following the accidental death of his father.
     He married Charlotte Jackson in August 19, 1945 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne and she preceded him in death in November 20, 1966.  He married Mariann Stanek Tecklenburg, July 29, 1978 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
     Ralph farmed forty plus years on the family farm north of Van Horne in Eden Township, having it named in the public registry as the Garden of Eden.  He was a lifetime member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church.  He served for 35 years on the Board of Directors of Van Horne Savings Bank.  As a World War II veteran he had served as an American Legion Commander and was a lifetime member of the Thomas F. Bevins American Legion Post #148 of Van Horne..  He was a past President and lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League and a lifetime member of the Benton County Historical Society.
     Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, playing cards, the Iowa Hawkeyes, antiques and his family and many friends.
      He is survived by his wife, Mariann, of Vinton; his brother, Dean (Thelma) Kerkman of Maquoketa; three daughters, Kay (Eamon) Tierney of Ames, Kyle (Steve) Miller of Houston, TX, Keely (Gary) McAfee of Marion; two stepsons, Robert (Becki) Tecklenburg of Springfield, VA, Gary (Linda) Tecklenburg of Lakewood, CO; two stepdaughters, Jeanne (Michael) Kureri of Green Valley, AZ, Kristine (Dennis) Scheer of Atkins; eight grandchildren, Casey Jones of Ames, Brian and Jeremy McAfee of Marion, Nicole (Alex) Zanon of Green Valley, AZ, Brandon (Kate) Scheer of Amana, Ben Scheer of Las Cruces, NM, Tyler Scheer of Estherville, Ethan Scheer of Atkins; one great-granddaughter, Giorgia Zanon of Green Valley; and many nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte; his parents; and his sister, Evelyn Ohde.