Ronald W. Arndt, went to be with the Lord Sunday morning, September 1, 2013, at the time he would normally be heading to church, at Marion Manor Nursing Home, following a brief battle with lung cancer. He was 87 years old and of Marion.
On September 21, 1925, Ron was born in Marion, Ohio, the older of two sons of the late William and Florence (Rothfuss) Arndt. He graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1943.
Shortly following graduation, Ron was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army to help his fellow countrymen in the fight of World War II. He served on the battle lines in the South Pacific, the Philippines and Okinawa.
Upon his honorable discharge, Ron returned home to Marion, where he married Betty Persinger on September 17, 1956. Together they shared over 34 loving years of marriage. She preceded him in death on January 24, 1991.
A very skilled craftsman, Ron worked as a carpenter, his lifetime occupation, with the local Carpenter’s Union in Marion. For many years, he also owned and operated Arndt’s Antenna Services, keeping antenna towers in good working order.
A man of deep faith, Ron was active in many churches throughout his entire life. He was a lifelong member of the Salem Evangelical Church, he attended Thursday evening services at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, and he also attended a bible study at the Richland Road Church of Christ. He truly dedicated his life to the Lord.
Very active in the local community, Ron was a member of the American Legion Post 162, F & A.M. Marion Lodge Post 70, the Moose Lodge, the V.F.W. Post 7201, the Marion County Fish and Game Association, and the National Rifle Association. He also loved having breakfast with his “McDonald’s Buddies”.
With a love for the outdoors, Ron went hunting and fishing as often as he could and with whomever he could get to go with him. He truly loved hunting, traveling all over Ohio and Pennsylvania to hunt deer and rabbits, and even going as far as Wyoming to hunt.
Getting a second chance at love, Ron married Virginia Riddle in September of 1997. They cherished their 12 years of marriage, and enjoyed line dancing together. She preceded him in death in April of 2009.
Sharing a special bond with his nieces and nephew, Ron treated them as if they were his own children and treated their children as if they were his own grandchildren. He also shared a special friendship with his step-son, Dan, whom he enjoyed playing pool with every Sunday afternoon for many years.
He will be missed by his step-son, Daniel (Vonda) Riddle; four step grandchildren: Jennifer (Michael) Gregory, Jonathon Riddle, Nathan (Nikki) Riddle and Jamie (Matt) Malogorski; a nephew, Bruce Arndt; two nieces: Christy (Brian) Penrod, and Debra (Robert) Gordon; seven great-nephews: Michael, Kevin and Jordan Jolliff, Tristan Penrod, and Daniel and Jeremy Bradshaw; and 1 great great nephew and 3 great great nieces.
Including his parents and wives, Ron was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Eleanor Arndt; and step-son, David Riddle.
His family will greet friends from 10 a.m. to Noon on Thursday, September 5th, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life and celebrating his homecoming will follow at Noon, with Pastors Robert Gordon and J. Patrick Street officiating. Military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow his services at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marion General Hospital Hospice, Salem Evangelical Church and the Emanuel Lutheran Church, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Ron’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to his family by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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