Arlyn W. Brooks, 90, of Erie passed away Friday, January 14, 2011 at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 17th at Gibson Funeral Home, Erie, with visitation one hour preceding the service. Burial will be in the Erie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erie Ambulance Service. Arlyn was born May 12, 1920, in Phenix Township, Illinois to Harold and Ethel Brooks. He married Esther Shepherd of Erie on June 14, 1941. They are lifetime Erie residents. Arlyn served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, as a Corporal in the China-Burma-India Theater. He was a Mechanic. He was awarded 3 Overseas Service Bars, the Asiatic Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, World War II Victory Medal, the China Commemorative Medal of World War II, the American Campaign Medal of World War II, and the Breast Order of Yun Hui by the National Government of the Republic of China. He worked in the heavy equipment business since 1950, as superintendent for two contracting firms for many years. In 1973, he went into business for himself in the farm drainage business, installing both underground and surface drainage systems. Arlyn was very active in his community. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 582, and had been a member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau and served as a Trustee on the Erie Village Board. He was an active member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America and the Illinois Chapter of that organization, where he served as a Director, First Vice President, and as Chairman and a member of numerous committees. He was awarded ILICA's Contractor of the Year in 1987. He is survived by his wife Esther, daughter Linda (Michael) Fortin of Naalehu, Hawaii, brother Lyle (Margo) Brooks, nephews Brian (Angie) Brooks, Bruce (Julie) Brooks, Bradley (Pam) Brooks, Kyle Brooks, as well a numerous great nieces and nephews, all of Erie.