Arnold Finks, 89, of Stockton Illinois, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Freeport Memorial Hospital.
He was born on January 21, 1924, in Jelgava, Latvia. Prior to World War II, he attended the University in Riga. When war broke out, Arnold was conscripted into the Latvian Army being stationed on the Eastern Front. Following the War, he joined the American Military Police and spent time at various duty stations in Southern Germany including the Nuremburg War Trials. In 1947, he married Maria Domberger in Lauingen, Germany. During October 1951, Arnold, Maria and two sons, Manfred and Arnold Jr., emigrated to the United States. They eventually settled in Stockton, Illinois in 1953. Arnold worked at Kraft Foods for 38 years until his retirement in 1992.
Arnold enjoyed nature, dogs and cats, hunting, fishing, photography, gardens and his grand children. He appreciated his wonderful neighbors and many friends in the Stockton Community. Arnold was particularly fond of Apple River Canyon State Park and Jerry Davenport's deer hunting timber. He was proud of being a Mason and was a long time member of Christ Lutheran Church of Stockton.
Surviving are his step-son, Fred (Donna) Domberger of Kent, Sigurd (Tracy) Finks of Bloomington, Minnesota, grand children including Vicki (Roger) Kloepping of Kent, Manfred (Earlene) Domberger of Pearl City, Kelsey Finks and Brian Finks of Bloomington plus three great grand kids and four great great grand children. Arnold was preceded in death by his son Arnold Jr (Arnie), his wife Maria, and sister Vera of Jelgava.
A visitation will be held Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. The funeral service will be Monday, March 4, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the Christ Lutheran Church. Internment will take place at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established for the Friends Forever Humane Society.