Arthur Koehn, 86, was born on Nov. 2, 1924, to Pete W. and Clara Koehn at Lone Tree, KS, and left this life to be with his Heavenly Father on Dec. 13, 2010.
When he was young, he attended small country grade schools. At age 11, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized.
He was united in marriage to Minnie Kehn on Aug. 11, 1950, at Montezuma, KS. To this union, eight children were born.
Arthur was a life long learner, educating himself in his agriculture business and the world around him. Family vacations emphasized the beauty of nature. He taught them to enjoy God’s creation and give Him praises for all of it.
The family moved from Kansas to Walker in 1959. Arthur was a successful farmer growing corn, soybeans, milo and wheat. He also had a sizable Holstein dairy and was a sales agent for a fertilizer company and a seed company. He worked closely with the Missouri agriculture agents and was progressive in his farming methods. Arthur sold his farm and moved to El Dorado Springs in 1974 where he continued to sell and apply fertilizer for surrounding farmers and raised beef cattle.
Arthur began his ministry by becoming Jr. Church Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada. On Oct. 3, 1976, he was ordained into the gospel ministry. He served as pastor to Children’s Church at Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada for 14 years.
After moving to El Dorado Springs, he pastored the First Baptist Church in Caplinger Mills for 20 years. He enjoyed being involved with the community by serving in the Ministerial Alliance, the school board in Walker, the 54 Cruisers and the El Dorado Garden Club.
Arthur loved the Word of God. The Bible was his love and the foundation of his life. He loved it, read it and lived it. Through the Word of God he learned to lean upon the Almighty Savior. In Christ, he found truth, grace and the faith and strength to weather all the storms of life. Every morning and evening Arthur read the Word of God and prayed. His prayers were filled with blessings for his family and friends and great thanksgiving and praise to the God he loved.
He always had a special love for children. He and Minnie poured their love and lives into their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their love and sacrifice will be evident in the lives of his descendants for many generations to come. He will be treasured and missed by them and his many friends.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” Flavia Weedn
He was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie, and his daughter, Peggy.
He is survived by his seven children – Everett, and wife, Kathy - Kearney, MaDonna, and husband, Phillip Boyd - Hockley, TX, Rosanna, and husband, Kendall Boehs - Mountain Grove, Florene, and husband, Rex Manes - Walker, Christine, and husband, Richard Welsh - Murrieta, CA, Starrleen, and husband, Herb Heinen - Jefferson City, and Arthur Lyle - Flagstaff, AZ.
Services were held Sunday, Dec. 19, at Sheldon Chapel with Rev. Howard McPeak officiating. Music was It Is Well With My Soul, How Great Thou Art and When We All Get To Heaven with song leader Craig Boehs and pianist Phillip Boyd. Interment was in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery.
Casketbearers were - Mack Johnson, Chan Johnson, Daniel Boyd, Ryan Welsh, Cory Koehn and Tim Heinin.
Arrangements were by Sheldon Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs.
