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Bob Arehart

February 25, 1921 - August 14, 2017
Plainwell, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, August 17, 2017
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, August 18, 2017
11:00 AM EDT
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Plainwell Athletic Boosters
684 Starr Rd
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-9554
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Plainwell Flowers
117 S. Main
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-8055
Driving Directions
Web Site

River Rose
(269) 692-3951

Life Story / Obituary


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Bob Arehart was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A hard worker his whole life, he proudly gave to his family and church community selflessly over the years. Nothing brought him greater joy than to share in the many accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. An honored veteran from what is known as, The Greatest Generation, Bob will be lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Reflecting on the 1920’s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge. Radio stations were growing in operation throughout the US, the media was focused on jazz music and celebrities, and at the brink of what would be known as the Roaring Twenties, Charles & Hazel (Pallett) Arehart welcomed home their newborn son, Bob, on February 25, 1921, in Plainwell, Michigan. Born to a well-known meat cutter in town and a wonderful homemaker, his birth brought great joy into the hearts of his loving parents. The middle of eight children, he respected the importance of valuable family relationships from a young age. His older siblings, Esther, Helen, Lewis, Velma and younger siblings, Carl, John and MaryJean shared many happy memories together during their formative years.

Common for that time period, each member of a family pitched in to help make ends meet. He and his brother, Carl held paper routes. It was on that route that he met the woman that would change the course of his life forever; EvaJune! Although she attended his same school, Bob would often pedal quickly through his route so that he could join Carl on his route which was the route that passed right by EvaJune’s house! While in High School, he played basketball at Plainwell. Graduating with the Class of 1940, he set his sights on a future with his sweetheart, EvaJune. Eager to spend the rest of their lives together, they married on January 31, 1942, in Otsego. Before they were barely settled and ready to kick start their own family, Bob was drafted into the United States Army by that November during WWII. He was forever proud of his years of military service and loved to share memories from that time period in his life. Discharged by late December of 1945, he returned to his Plainwell home and took a job with the local paper mill. Later, Bob went to work for Valley Metal until the business closed and returned to the paper mill where he remained for many years until they too closed down. Eaton Corporation was his final place of employment before he retired.

He and EvaJune were elated to welcome two wonderful children, David and Janis into their family during their years together. As a father, he modeled an even keeled temperament and a compassionate heart toward others. He wanted nothing more than for his children to have a satisfying life. Bob worked hard, often turning down vacations over the years to ensure they had the very best of everything and that the family wouldn’t fall short on paying their bills. Before Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge was constructed, he took the family on a ferry to Mackinac Island. Much later in life, he took two memorable trip, one with his brother-in--law and sister-in-law to Las Vegas. The other trip was to California with his grandson, Patric when Patric was stationed in San Diego in the Navy. Otherwise, when he was off work for any length of time, he was most comfortable working in the yard around the house often listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio.

Bob was a well-known figure in the community he loved. During each and every fall season, he never missed a single Plainwell football game! Nothing pleased him more than cheering on his alma mater and connecting with his many special friends in the community he called home. When Bob wasn’t seated in the Trojan stands, he was out walking for exercise around Plainwell, a pastime he kept up as a daily habit until he was the age of ninety-one years old!

Without a lot of extra hobbies, Bob savored the time he spent with his family. An active grandfather, he liked to babysit for his grandchildren where he’d enjoy reading and playing with them as well as telling them stories. Not one to cook, after EvaJune passed away, he was thrilled to join in any family gathering or holiday and share a delicious home cooked meal. He loved pretty much every type of food and wasn’t often picky, yet his favorite dessert was hands down, banana cream pie! Much like his tradition of attending the local high school football games, his son, Dave and his grandson, Pat held a long standing tradition of remaining loyal to their Detroit Lions and watching them every Sunday afternoon. Win or lose, they shared a common bond and looked forward to spending time with one another. Bob never gave up hope that one day they’d be watching them at the Super Bowl, but year after year, he showed up to the family party and cheered on some other team! Blessed beyond measure, Bob’s wonderful family and special friends will miss him deeply. His endearing ways and beautiful spirit will be etched on their hearts forever.

Bob Arehart, age 96, of Plainwell, Michigan passed away on August 14, 2017, at Stanford Lodge. Bob was a longtime member of Plainwell United Methodist Church. Visit with his family and friends and view his life story film on Thursday, August 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (269 685-5881). A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18 at 11:00 at the same location. Bob’s family includes his children: David Arehart and Janis (Rick) Katje; 5 grandchildren: Patrick Arehart, Kristen (James) Wheaton, Kyle (Rachel) Katje, Kurt (Patty) Katje and Keith (Nichole) Katje; 7 great grandchildren: Brittany, Madison, Kenyon, Kaylee, Kolton, Jack and Owen; 1 great great grandson: Liam as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years EvaJune; siblings: Esther Fleming, Helen Teders, Lewis Arehart, Velma Hicks, Carl Arehart, John Arehart, and MaryJean Arehart. Please visit Bob’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo and sign his memory book online. Memorial donations can be made to the Plainwell Athletic boosters.

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