Arthur Hartwig

MORTON - Arthur R. Hartwig, 96, of Morton, formerly of Germantown Hills, died at 4:15 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton.

He was born Oct. 6, 1913, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Lewin and Emma (Preas) Hartwig. He married Gladys Hodel on Feb. 12, 1944, in Peoria.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Gladys Hartwig of Morton; two daughters, Lynne (Garry) Snook of Morton and Susan (Paul) Reeb of Metamora; one son, John (Asayo) Hartwig of Cedar Park, Texas; nine grandchildren, Brett Heintz, Marnie Harris, Matthew Reeb, Andrew Reeb, Lisa, Sara and Karen Hartwig, and Shawn and Jason Snook; five great-grandchildren, Emma, Camryn, Hannah, Lauren and Dakota; one brother, Lewin (Jean) Hartwig of Scotts Valley, Calif.; one sister, Florence Beard of Silver Spring, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth.

Upon graduating from Washington State University in 1941, Art started working for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria. He later moved to the general offices of the marketing division in Peoria, retiring in 1977 after 36 years of service.

While at Washington State University, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Art also was a member of the Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, where he served for many years as a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school. He also served as a church trustee.

He was a member of the Germantown Hills School Board for five years, serving as president for two years.

Art learned to play chess in his early years and later became active in Peoria area chess circles. He was Caterpillar chess champion in 1943 and Peoria city chess champion from 1946 to 1948.

After retiring from Caterpillar, he enjoyed piano tuning and spending many hours in his workshop making special projects for family and friends. He could fix just about anything.

Art's family was very important to him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, with the Rev. Joel Newton officiating. Visitation will be from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery. Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 6915 N. Allen Road, Peoria, IL 61614, or to South Side Mission, 1127 S. Laramie St., Peoria, IL 61605.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com.