Arthus C. Pickens, 95, of rural Wheeler, IL passed away at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday,

June 26, 2014 at Newton Rest Haven. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, IL. Burial will follow in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton, IL with full military rites. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church of Newton, with envelopes available at the funeral home. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .

Art was born on November 21, 1918 in Wheeler, IL, the son of Ernest T. and Pearl (Austin) Pickens. He graduated from Newton High School in the Class of 1936.  Art served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 in the Pacific during WWII. He was a crew member of DD 700 USS Haynsworth. Art was a lifelong farmer and retired from pipeline construction in the late 1970s. He was a member of the Central Christian Church, Winterrowd Lodge #664 for 70 years and the Dieterich American Legion Post #628.

Art married Wilma Eileen Bryan on September 24, 1940 and she preceded him in death on May 10, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Rex Pickens and Shirley Pickens; and his sister, Lorraine Stouth.

He is survived by:

2 Sons and Daughters-In-Law – Stephen and Barbara Jean Pickens of Wichita, KS

A.C. and Evon Pickens of Wheeler, IL

Daughter and Son-In-Law – Jeanette and Mike Lambird of Lake Forest, CA

6 Grandchildren – Becky Freshour of Wichita, Ks

Bonnie Zimmer of Overland Park, KS

Bryan Lambird of Culver City, CA

Jill Tremblay of Rancho Mirage, CA

Abby Drwecki of Arvada, CO

Clay Pickens of Olney, IL

8 great grandchildren

2 Brothers – Thornton (Buck) Pickens of Wheeler, IL

Larry Pickens of Effingham, IL

Sister – Marge Harvey of Wheeler, IL

Brother-in-law – Dale (Beverly) Bryan of Atlanta, GA

Sister-in-law – Dorothy Robards of Newton, IL