Arthur F. "Frank" Slinkard, age 83, of Glen Carbon, IL, born July 18, 1940 in Scott County, MO, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2024 at Meridian Village Care Center in Glen Carbon, IL.

Frank joined the U.S. Army after high school. He spent 3 years in the army, two of those were in Okinawa, Japan. After his discharge, he received a Bachelor of Science degree at Southeast Missouri State University in Industrial Arts. He also took classes for a Master's Degree at SIU Carbondale.

Frank taught welding for 32 years at the Collinsville Area Vocational Center of Collinsville High School. While he was there, he impacted the lives of countless young men and women who came through his classroom. Over the many years he spent teaching, he was outspokenly proud of "his boys" and would say so to anyone who would listen. One of those "boys" went on to take first place in the World Welding Competition….a moment of tremendous pride for Frank.

During summers, he worked for Sheet Metal Local 268 out of Caseyville, IL; and after his retirement from his teaching job at the Vocational Center, he taught apprentices at the sheet metal local. In between his post-retirement teaching jobs, he and his wife, Kay, spent time traveling and they were able to see a great deal of the United States. They especially enjoyed traveling to the Pacific Northwest to see their son. He also loved spending as much time as possible with his grandsons, and always let them know it.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman "Shorty" and Elizabeth "Hattie" (Cook) Slinkard.

He is survived by his wife, Paulina Kay (Jackman) Slinkard, whom he married in June, 1968; a son, Ben Slinkard of Orting, WA; a daughter, Jennifer (Ean) Slaughter of Glen Carbon, IL; two grandchildren: Luke & Sam Slaughter; a brother, Louis (Sharon) Slinkard of High Ridge, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., immediately following the visitation, with Del Tegtmeier officiating.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Collinsville Area Community Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.