Obituary of Arthur E. Fossland

Arthur (Art) Everett Fossland, age 98, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, went to be with his Lord on June 2, 2018.  He was surrounded by the love of his family and friends.  

Art was born on July 15, 1919 in Winthrop Harbor to James and Eleonore Fossland on the family farm.  He attended Spring Bluff School and then Waukegan Township High School.  Art earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1941 from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Accounting.  He married his grade school sweetheart, Laura Hawkins, the day before he joined the Navy and left for midshipman school.  Art was one of two to volunteer to set foot on Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bomb was dropped two weeks prior to assess the conditions.  He realized the risk and was willing to accept the consequences of his decision as others had family back home.

After the war he returned to Winthrop Harbor and worked as a Cost Analyst at American Steel and Wire in Waukegan for 27 years before becoming Director of Fiscal Affairs at the Zion Benton Community Hospital.  Richard Stephenson approached Art and expressed an interest in purchasing the hospital and asked Art to serve on the Board of Directors after the purchase.  Art served on the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Institutional Review Board first, overseeing the hospitals research efforts, and as President of Midwestern Board for more than 30 years.  He retired to President Emeritus at the age of 93.

Art being a devoted community steward served as Mayor of Winthrop Harbor from 1968 to 1985-the longest any person spent in that role.  During his tenure several parks were developed with Schlader Park being the most prominent.  Art was also instrumental in the development of the North Pointe Marina which was one of the largest marinas on Lake Michigan at that time.

Art was also a charter member of the American Legion Post, a member of the Moose Lodge, AARP and also mentored children in the Winthrop Harbor school district junior high.

Survivors include his sister, Marilyn (Fossland) Kirschhoffer, Wausau, WI; and niece and nephews Mark (Pat) Kirschhoffer, Wadsworth, IL, Jill (Jay) Punzenberger, Wausau, WI, Peter (Lin) Kirschhoffer, Lake Mills, WI, Jon (Kris) Kirschhoffer, Stillwater, WI.: and many loving great nieces and nephews.  Art was preceded in death by his parents, James and Eleonore Fossland and his wives Laura Hawkins, June Lockvis and Beulah Ruth Loblaw and also by his brother-in-law Raymond Kirschhoffer.

A visitation will be held at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd. Zion, IL on Friday June 8th from 5-8 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday  at the Zion Revival Center Church 2413 Elisha Ave. Zion, IL, at 10:00 a.m.. Please meet at the church.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers a memorial to the Assistance in Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 396, Zion, IL 60066, or to the Zion Revival Center, 2413 Elisha Ave, Zion, IL, 60099, or the Winthrop Harbor Police or Fire Departments, in his memory.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the caregivers at CTCA in Zion, IL, the staff at Rolling Hills Place for their excellent, loving care over the years.  Also his prior caregivers Carol and Rob Pye for making it possible for him to remain in his home for as many years as possible as well as Dr. Stephen Ray who cared for Art during his end of life challenges. “We were blessed to have your care and support”.
Rest in Peace Dear Art