Gerald died on his 75th birthday.

Gerald  Carkhuff, 75, passed away at the Iowa River Hospice House on Friday, April 1, 2016, (his 75th birthday) surrounded by his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 5, 2016, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown at 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 839 and by American Legion Post # 46 both of Marshalltown, a visitation will be held before the service from 9 -11:00 a.m. For condolences please contact www.mitchellfh.com , or call (641) 844-1234. Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League or Iowa River Hospice.  

Gerald was born on April 1, 1941, to the parents of Harley and Amy (Davis) Carkhuff in Marshalltown, Iowa. He attended Marshalltown High School before enlisting in the United States Navy. Gerald honorably served our country in four tours in Vietnam starting in 1961 until 1969. After he returned from his service Gerald was employed as a United Sates Mail Carrier and delivered for 34 years. During his years of work he was the president of the Postal Union and even after his retirement. After his years of service from the Postal Service he worked as a salesman selling postal uniforms for ten years. When he wasn’t working Gerald was found outside tending to his horses. He was an avid horseman and loved spending time with them. When he would go inside his two loves were waiting for him, Ruth and Buddy his dog. The three of them spent years of happiness together.

Left to cherish his memory are Ruth his companion of 22 years, half-sister, Pam Wilkening of Marshalltown, step-brother Gary Wood of Summerville, South Carolina, and many nieces and nephews.    Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sandy, step-father, step-sister, and half-sister.