David Arlo Malinsky

David Arlo Malinsky, 89, of Ottawa, formerly of Rockton, Illinois, Bella Vista in Arkansas and Urbana, Illinois, died Monday, November 14, 2011 at his home. Private Military Service and Entombment will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. Arrangements are entrusted to the Ottawa Funeral Home. David was born August 28, 1922 in Flora, Illinois to Arlo B. and Dorothea M. (Bowman) Malinsky. He married Betty Jean Qualls on February 23, 1945 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He lived most of his early life in Flora, and graduated from the Flora High School in May, 1940. He was a student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and served as an Infantry Rifle Platoon leader with the Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa. He was released from active duty in April of 1946, he then returned to Southern Illinois University where he graduated in 1947. Their first son, Steven Paul, was born on June 29, 1950, just four days after the Korean War started and Dave was called back to active duty in the Marines in February of 1951. He was promoted to Captain and served in the First Marine Division in Korea as a Company Commander. Upon his return home in May of 1952, he completed his Master's Degree in Education Administration at the University of Illinois. On November 20, 1952, son Scott Alan joined the family. Dave was a teacher and football coach at Dupo, Illinois for four years, had a similar job at Sullivan, Illinois for four years, spent two years as High School Principal in Donovan, Illinois, and nineteen years as Superintendent at Hononegah Community High School in Rockton, Illinois. He retired June 15, 1977 and with Betty, moved to Bella Vista on June 21, 1977. He enjoyed reading, fishing, golf, woodworking, and for several years served friends as a house painter and handyman. He is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons, Steve (Mary) of Ottawa and Scott of Mancos, Colorado; four grandchildren, Michael of Dayton, Oregon, David of Mancos, Colorado, and Katie Malinsky of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Beth (Steve) Govertsen of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; one great grandchild, Maddy; and one brother William "Bill" (Gen) Malinsky of Madison, Wisconsin. Memorials may be directed to a library of your choice.