Irwin "Irv" R. Lindner, 95, of Keokuk, IA, passed away at 4:35 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 at River Hills Village in Keokuk, IA. Irv was born on August 12, 1917 in Keokuk, the son of Conrad and Christina Wirtz Lindner. He married Irene Gregory on May 1, 1945 in Ventnor City, N.J. She preceded him in death on March 25, 2002. Irv's first work experience was as a young boy on the family farm, assisting with livestock and crops. He owned several special horses and dogs during that time. The Lindner farm has remained in the family for over one hundred and fifty five years. Irv graduated from Keokuk High School with the Class of 1935. He earned his private pilot's license in 1939 and joined the Army Air Corp following Pearl Harbor. Irv completed his commercial and instructor ratings while in the Air Corp. Irv ferried fighters and bombers across the United States. He met a fellow pilot in pursuit school, Irene Gregory, and they fell in love. They traveled across the country delivering WW II planes for the war effort until they were married in 1945. Upon returning to Keokuk in 1946, Irv and Irene formed their flying service, Lindner Aviation, Inc. on the Keokuk Municipal Airport which was newly built. Lindner Aviation, Inc. was operated by Irv until 1984 and it continues in operation today at the airport. Irv was a hard worker, enjoyed a good story, especially about flying, and was a man of his word. During his life, he served on the Keokuk Public School Board of Education, belonged to the Keokuk Rotary Club for fifty-six years, was a past member of the Lee County Farm Bureau, past member of the Tri-State Flying Club, Warbirds of America, Experimental Aircraft Association, the Joint Liaison Foundation Committee and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was Grand Marshal of the Keokuk Labor Day parade in 2002 and he and Irene were recently inducted in the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame. Irv received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for furthering the cause of aviation in 2004. In 2002, the Keokuk Municipal Airport was renamed Lindner Field-Keokuk Municipal Airport, an honor which is usually bestowed posthumously. Irv's faith and his God were very important to him. He belonged to the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk his entire life. He served on the Board of Christian Education, Consistory and Elders. In earlier days, he sang in the church choir. Irv was a strong Keokuk Chief and Iowa Hawkeye fan. One of his special memories was watching Nile Kinnick play in Iowa City. Irv loved flying and felt blessed to have been able to make it his livelihood. He loved and was extremely proud of his family. He attended every sports, band and church function, that his children and grandchildren participated in. He is survived by one daughter, Janet Lindner Hurt of Keokuk, three grandchildren, Lindsey Anderson (Luke) of Ft. Worth, TX, James Hurt of Dallas, TX and Julius Hurt of Iowa City, IA. Also surviving, nephew, Melvin Lindner and niece, Elsie Magnuson, numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews and friends. Besides his wife, Irene, he was preceded in death by his son, Jim, in 1969, two brothers, Arthur and Carl, his parents and parents-in-law. Irv will be remembered as a pioneer in aviation and a great citizen of Keokuk. A Celebration of his life was held on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Keokuk, with Reverend Matt Hunt officiating. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul United Church of Christ or the Jim Lindner Memorial Scholarship.