John F. Arnos, age 88 years, 11 months, of Ridgeville Corners, passed away Sunday morning, September 6, 2015, in his home. Prior to his retirement he had been a farmer and had worked at the Zehr Company in Archbold, Agrico in Ridgeville Corners, Behrman Vault Company in Ridgeville Corners, and had owned and operated J & L Plant Food Company in Ridgeville Corners.
John was born in Defiance County on October 1, 1926, the son of Frederick and Frieda (Wesche) Arnos. On February 11, 1950 he married Doris Leininger, and she survives. John was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, rural Stryker. He was a past-president of the local and state Lutheran Laymen’s League, and served on the board of governors for the the international arm of the that organization. He was a Navy Veteran of WWII and was a member of the Ridgeville Corners American Legion Post #454. He was also a member of the Ridgeville Township Fire Department for 46 years. He was a Hometown Hero for the Henry County Chapter of American Red Cross.
Surviving besides his wife, Doris, are two daughters, Dorothy (Duane) Sorrell of Wauseon and Barbara Smith of Swanton. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 13 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth, and two brothers, Paul and Elmer Arnos.
Visitation for John will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at the Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold, where a Firefighter Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 P.M., by the Ridgeville Township Fire Department. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Jeffrey Corder, officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John Cemetery, where Military Rites will be accorded by the Ridgeville Corners American Legion Post.
Contributions may be made in John’s honor to the Ridgeville Township Fire Department, Lutheran Hour Ministries, St. John Lutheran Church, or Henry County Hospice.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com