Pastor Arthur Eric Schleif, 88 years, of West Burlington, Iowa and formerly of Fort Madison died Friday, July 18, 2014 at the Parkview Medical Center, Pueblo, Colorado. He was born September 27, 1925 in Lawrence, Nebraska, a son of Emil L. and Mary (Schiermeyer) Schleif. On January 22, 1950 at Fort Madison, Iowa he married Vera Mae McPherson. She survives.

Art Schleif grew up in Nebraska and moved as a young man to Iowa when his father bought a farm close to the Denmark, Iowa area. Art was in the US Army and at the end of World War II, he made several parachute jumps from C-47's in Germany. After returning to Iowa he became interested in studying the Bible, especially the prophecies. Art and his wife Vera Mae became convinced that there would be a second coming of Christ. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." John 14:1-3. Art joined the Seventh-day Adventist church and made his living as a Literature Evangelist selling books which told about the second coming of Christ. After a few years Art became an ordained pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Art supported by Vera Mae was the pastor of Adventist churches in Mississippi, Missouri, and Iowa. He officially retired at age 65, but continued preaching into his 80's. He was currently a member of the Burlington Seventh-day Adventist Church. Art loved his family, sis (sister), nieces and nephews; and was pleased that his wife, son, grandsons and their wives have all committed their lives and professional careers to the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Vera Mae Schleif, of West Burlington, Iowa; one son Brad (wife Sheryl) Schleif, of Pueblo West, Colorado, one sister Elizabeth (husband Robert) Whalen, of Burlington, Iowa; two grandsons, Dustin (wife Dawn) Schleif and Greg (wife Trina) Schleif of central California, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison with Pastor Brad Schleif, officiating. Burial with full military rites will be at Denmark Cemetery, Denmark, Iowa. A memorial has been established, contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.