Arvin W. Anderson

Arvin W. Anderson spent his life serving others without thought of reward or recognition. He generously shared his time and possessions with people in need and looked for ways to lighten the burdens of those who crossed his path. Even when he wasn't feeling well, he encouraged others with his prayers and kind words. He loved his family deeply and longed to see them healthy, happy, and serving the Lord.

In 1939 on the other side of the globe, the Second World War was getting underway while in Leroy, Michigan, Daniel and Hazel (Peterson) Anderson were preparing for an invasion right in their very own home. Their second baby was on its way, and on December 29, 1939, little Arvin was born in nearby Reed City. He had a big sister, Rhoda, and would later become big brother to two siblings, Sharon and Janice. He took his role as the little man of the house seriously and looked out for his sisters, giving advice and support at just the right times. While Arvin was a youngster, the family lived in Leroy and Evart, then moved to Grand Rapids where he attended kindergarten at Aberdeen School. He was an active boy, and learned to channel his energy into two main areas: sports and service.

For as long as he could remember, Arvin was interested in sports. One fine October day he walked home from kindergarten to listen to the World Series on the radio and never did make it back to school that afternoon. He learned about serving others from his parents. The Andersons ran the Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp while the kids were growing up. There was a lot of work involved, but the family made many special memories. It also helped solidify what his parents were teaching him about making Christ the center of his life.

Arvin learned early on that Christ had died in his place, taking the punishment that Arvin deserved and offering forgiveness to all who believed. Arvin was grateful for Christ's work and as he grew in his faith, he realized that everything he had belonged to God. He recognized the many ways that others had encouraged him, including his parents, camp counselors, and Sunday School teachers. He, in turn, followed their example, expressing his faith with his family, at his job, and in his church.

As a high school student, Arvin was active in church activities and participated on the football, track and basketball teams at Creston High School. After graduating from Creston, Arvin attended North Park College in Chicago, utilizing his athleticism and love for sports as a shot putter on the track team and the center and kicker on the football team. Arvin went on to earn his Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Michigan.

Arvin met Nancy Jacobson while both were attending North Park College, he in the education program, and she in nursing. They dated for about a year and were married June 8, 1963 at Berean Bible Church, since the Covenant church on Tremont Blvd. was under construction at the time. In time they became the proud parents of Jeff, Brian and Julie.

After completing his degrees, Arvin found a job at Kentwood High School. He started working as a math teacher, then as a guidance counselor. He truly cared for his students and was instrumental in establishing Young Life at Kentwood, longing to see young people become successful and happy in God. He served as the assistant defensive football coach for twenty-five years, and in 1988 was named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Arvin worked at Kentwood for thirty-three years.

After his retirement in 1994, Arvin spent three months exploring options for the next stage in his life. He discovered an opportunity with Goodwill Industries procuring jobs for the handicapped and helping them develop the skills necessary to maintain those jobs, work that suited him since his parents had often worked with special needs youth. He also became Director of the Urban Center and then Director of Youth Services. He received several awards for his contributions.

In 2005, he received two prestigious awards. In March, he received the C. David Anderson Award, presented annually by the Michigan Transition Services Association to one individual in the state of Michigan for their work helping young people reach their full potential. In June, Arv travelled to Appleton, WI to receive the Edgar J. Helms Award, named for the founder of Goodwill Industries. This award is given annually to one employee of Goodwill, nationally. Arv received both of these awards because of the efforts and nomination of his coworkers.

Arvin served his church as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, youth leader, Sunday School superintendent, church chairman and chairman of the Great Lakes Conference of the Covenant Church. He was also active in church planting for the Covenant and specifically with Redeemer Covenant Church. He had an award named for him in recognition of his contributions. He received the first annual Arv Anderson Award in Church Planting by the Great Lakes Conference of the Covenant Church in April, 2005. He also spent time working with Crossroads Prison Ministries.

Arvin maintained his love of sports and when he had free time he enjoyed watching almost any sporting event on television. He was a faithful fan of the Wolverines and all Detroit teams as well as the UConn Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks.

Arvin struggled with his health in later years, but did not allow his illness to break his spirit. He spent much of his time in prayer and continued to grow in his love for God and others. He leaves all who knew him with the example of a man who was compassionate, putting the needs of others before his own. He found joy in sharing his hope of heaven and looked forward to living with Jesus forever.

Arvin's testimony as found in his Bible:

"As you look at the world around you - where is your hope?

My testimony is simple: I thank God for my heritage, never felt unloved or unwanted. I was taught that God loved me; I was prayed for. I had wonderful Sunday School teachers. I had summers at camp. I never felt away from God.

Yet, I needed to commit to God and what He had done for me through Jesus Christ. This was natural - but needed and I said 'Yes, come into my heart - deeper commitments- marriage, kids. As an older Christian I still have questions - where is the world going? But I do not have questions of where I am going,

Has the testimony offering plate been passed to you this week? Were you ready to respond with your hope? Stewardship emphasis: God owns it all, even my story.

Where are you going to be when you get to where you are going?"

Arvin passed away on Monday, January 9, 2006, after a lingering illness. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Jeff and Chris Anderson, and their children, Erik and Luke of Tolland, Connecticut, Brian Anderson and his fiancé Donna Fitzgerald of Denver, and Julie Anderson; sisters, Rhoda (Bruce) Larson, Sharon (James) Oudman, and Janice (Jon) Kempe; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives may meet the family on Thursday, January 12, from 7-9 p.m. and on Friday, January 13, from 2-4 and from 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, at the First Evangelical Covenant Church. Please visit Arvin's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory, sign the guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to DeGage Ministries Community Center or Covenant Enabling Residences of Michigan (homes for mentally challenged adults).