Wood River A Great American Hero and champion of military veterans, Arthur Junior Lindsey, 91, entered into heaven at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2013 in Alton while in the company of his daughter and his physician, Dr. John Wuellner and staff. Born July 11, 1922 in Jonesboro, he was the seventh of eight children born to the the late William Arthur and Ada Mae (Barker) Lindsey. He met his future wife, Dorothy Didway, at a dance and they were married on New Year's Day, 1942 at her mother's home in Ramsey. She died September 17, 2010. Art enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 15, 1942 and served in Company A of the 52nd Engineering Battalion. His military duties took him to many bases and countries. He was on a landing craft alongside the Missouri while the Japanese surrender was signed and became one of the first 50 US Soldiers to occupy Japan at the end of WWII. Having worked as a car salesman for several auto sales, he became a partner of Elledge Auto Sales in East Alton. He opened his own insurance agency in 1965 through American Family Insurance. In 1970, he was elected Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Madison County, serving until his retirement in 1989. During his tenure, he was one of the founding members of the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions and served as president. He was a life member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 204, Past 22nd Dist. Commander of the American Legion, member of VFW post 2859, AmVets, DAV Chapter 90, and 40 & 8. He served on the Illinois Veterans Home Advisory Board and amassed many hours volunteering at John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks Hospitals. He was a member of First Christian Church of Wood River and was immersed in Christian baptism on March 13, 2002. He served as President of the Lincoln School PTA in 1959 and Charter Organization Representative for Boy Scout Troop 35 for many years. To his family, Art was "Mr. Fix-It" and an excellent cook. He was always ready to help and support his family, friends and community. Survivors include, one daughter, Sheila May Sorgea of Wood River; one son, Kevin Arthur Lindsey and wife, Susan (Lyndaker) of Gray Summit, MO; Grandchildren, Todd Sorgea and wife, Tracey (Hokenson) of Wood River, Tiffany Dawn Sorgea of Rosewood Heights, Ryan Howard Lindsey and Shannon Marie Lindsey of Evansville, IN; great-grandsons, Donavin, Dylan and Dawson Klunk of Rosewood Heights; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his Wife and Parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Bill Barker, Claude and wife, Betty Lindsey, Marie and husband, Vernie Anderson, Thelma and husband, Darrel Hileman, Bernice and husband, Edward Obert, and infant brother and sister; in-laws, Dean and Mary Grissom, Frank Morris and Irene Didway; nephew, Tommy Potter; infant granddaughter, Gwendolyn May Sorgea. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 pm Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at First Christian Church of Wood River, 160 E. Lorena Ave and continues at 10 am on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 until service time of 11 am with Minister Bob Tracey officiating. Burial will be at Ramsey Cemetery in Ramsey on Monday Afternoon with full military honors. Gray Funeral Home in Wood River is coordinating the arrangements. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to First Christian Church of Wood River or DAV Chapter 90, 570 Glen Crossing Rd, Glen Carbon, IL 62034 for Fisher House St. Louis in Memory of Arthur Lindsey.