Alvin Cletes Monk was born November 13, 1915 in Riverton, Iowa to Charles and Nellie (Ward) Monk. He passed away July 30, 2008 at his home in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 92.


At the age of eight years, Alvin was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Hamburg, Iowa, and in later years transferred his membership to the First Baptist Church in Shenandoah.


Alvin lived in the Riverton area, where he received most of his education with the exception of a few years when the family lived in Freeport, Illinois.


Alvin and Ruth Fender exchanged marriage vows at Rock Port, Missouri, July 17, 1948 with his beloved mother witnessing the double ring ceremony. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.


He served his country during World War II, entering on February 3, 1941. He served five years as a Laboratory Supervisor and Technician earning the rank of Master Sergeant.


He returned to this area and in 1952 accepted employment as Terminal Manager and Claim Adjuster for Watson Brothers Transportation Company in Red Oak, Iowa. Later he was transferred to Nebraska City and Lincoln, Nebraska for 15 years, after which he accepted employment with the City of Lincoln for 13 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Instructor until retirement.


Alvin was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post in Sidney, Iowa and of the National Farmers Union. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge, Western Star Masonic Lodge, a Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a Past Guardian of Jobs Daughter all of Nebraska City, and the Elks Lodge #1122 of Shenandoah. He was also a member of the Riverton IOOF Lodge until they turned in the Charter thus closing the lodge.


He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, four half brothers and five half sisters. Alvin is survived by his wife Ruth; a stepdaughter, Jo Ann and her husband Harold Hinz of Imogene, IA; half brother, James Lee Kuhns of Louisville, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Barbara Cooper of Essex, IA; sister-in-law, Mildred Edens of Henderson, NV; granddaughters, De Anna and Brad Tibben of Nevada, IA, Kristy and Kevin McClain of Frisco, CO, and Danell and Trevor Duncan of Grimes, IA; great grand children, Jakob Tibben, Abby Tibben, and Jo Ella Duncan; several nieces, nephews and many friends..


Alvin's passing is a great loss to this family, neighbors and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Haclett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Gary Fuller. Sally Johnson attended the memory register. Special music was "How Great Thou Art", "He Touched Me", "It's No Secret" and "In The Garden". Casket bearers were Ray Oslin, Wes Hart, Glen Sheirbon, Bill Hammond, Bob Bowman and Mike Bryant. Honorary casket bearers were Clair Johnson, Ed Moore, Dean Carper and Joe Duff. Masonic Rites were given by Western Star Lodge #2, A.F. & A.M. of Nebraska City, Nebraska. Military Rites were given by American Legion Post #88 of Shenandoah, Iowa. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com