Arthur John Wirtz, 92, of Keokuk, IA, died Tuesday, December 25, 2012. Art was blessed with the best gift of all by being in the presence of the Lord on Christmas Day. He was born on July 13, 1920 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Christian and Clara Miller Wirtz. On April 12, 2003, Art was united in marriage to Martha Lambert Groseclose in Keokuk, IA. She preceded him in death on February 16, 2008. Art graduated from Keokuk High School with the Class of 1938. He had been employed with the Keokuk Community School System for twenty-three years. Art began his employment as a school bus driver in1959 and retired as Director of Transportation on June 3, 1982. Art was a farmer at heart and loved tending to his crops on his farm on Wirtz Lane. Art's faith was an active and vital part of his life. He was a faithful member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk, IA. He sang in the church choir for over sixty years, served as an Elder and was a member and past-president of the Baracka Sunday School Class. Art was a man of integrity, hardworking and generous with his time and talents. For thirty-eight years he was a member of the Keokuk Kiwanis where he had served as president for two terms. He was also a past Lieutenant Governor of the Kiwanis District 18. In 1995 he was the recipient of the Kiwanis Outstanding and Devoted Service Award. Art was also a member and past director of the Lee County Farm Bureau. Art was a long-time member and past president of the Hickory Grove Schoolhouse and Cemetery Association. He was very dedicated to the upkeep of the property. He enjoyed sharing the history of the Schoolhouse by conducting tours to third-grade school classes in the tri-state area. He loved going to auctions where he enjoyed finding new treasures and visiting with friends. His kindness, gentle ways and sense of humor brightened many lives over the years. He is survived by two sisters, Mable Boone and Verna Smith both of Keokuk, nieces and nephews, John Arthur Boone and his wife Mary, Ruth Clanton and her husband The Reverend Garrett Clanton, Mary Reeves and her husband Chuck, Pat Rhea and her husband Ned, Bruce Linnenburger and his wife Pam and Chris Hanley and her husband John, eleven great-nieces and nephews, several great-great- nieces and nephews, two great-great-great nephews and his special dog, Katie, who was his longtime, faithful companion. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Helen Moore and Marian Linnenburger. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 28, 2012 at the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk with Reverend Matt Hunt officiating. Burial was in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Keokuk. Memorials may be made to the Hickory Grove Cemetery or the St. Paul United Church of Christ.