Philip Dean Slinker, Jr.

Phil Slinker, 84, passed away on Monday, February 14, 2011. Services will be at Meredith Drive Reformed Church on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

Phil was born on November 10, 1926 to Philip and Irene (Corbett) Slinker in Des Moines. He lived most of his life in Des Moines but also lived in Washington, D.C. and LaGrange, IL during his high school years. He was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and served on Admiral Delany’s staff aboard the USS St. Paul Flagship for the Pacific fleet.

Phil was educated at Simpson College and Drake University before joining the family business at the DM Sporting Goods Company and Hopkins Sporting Goods. Phil was part owner of Vic Young’s Sporting Goods and owns Phil Slinker Sports, Inc.

One of Phil’s hobbies was his love of Corvettes. He was a charter member of the Corvette Club of Iowa in 1962. He also enjoyed racing as a member of the Sports Car Club of America and the National Council of Corvettes during the 60’s. Phil’s love for athletics found him as a high school and college football official for 22 years and he was an avid Valley Tigers fan. He was a member of Meredith Drive Reformed Church, Drake Bulldog Club, Moingona Masons, Des Moines Consistory 32°, and a 63 year member of the ZA-GA-ZIG Shrine. Phil had a passion for cooking and spent the better part of his adult life on a quest for the perfect spaghetti sauce. He also enjoyed all types of jazz music, regardless of his family’s preferences. From the early days of his childhood, Phil always looked forward to his summers on Lake Vermillion. He continued to vacation there throughout his life. It was his little spot of heaven on earth.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 37 years, Barbara; children, Suzanne (Michael Wedeking) Van Englehoven-Wedeking, Shawna VanEnglehoven, Susan (Patrick) Dale, David (Heidi) Slinker, Nikki (Pat Toal) Van Englehoven-Toal; grandchildren, Corey Wedeking, Lizzie and Annie Dale, Sara and Lauren Slinker; brother, Robert Slinker.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Promise for Haiti. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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