Charles Arnett, Sr.

Charles D Arnett, Sr., age 84, of Battle Creek, passed away Friday, November 13, 2015, at the Borgess Medical Center.  He was born September 25, 1931 in Hendricks, Magoffin County, Kentucky the son of Milt and Anne (Salyers) Arnett.  After his mom passed away when he was 6 months old, Charles was raised by his Aunt and Uncle John Dave and Jessie Arnett.  He attended grade school at Carty Branch and graduated from Salyersville High School. Charles entered the Air Force December 28, 1951 at Paintsville, Johnson Co, KY and served at Peiren Air Force Base, Denison, TX, Laredo Air Force Base, Laredo, TX, and Tackachawa, Japan.  He received the Airman of the month award, the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.  At the time of his discharge, December 5, 1955 at Parks Air Force Base, CA, he held the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon moving to Michigan in 1956, he married Barbara Gayle Ray in Battle Creek on January 14, 1956, who survives. He is a life member of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky Free & Accepted Masons No. 769, Eastern Star 471 and American Legion post 465 both in Climax, and Veterans of Foreign War post 5319 in Athens.  He was also a member of Moose 2276 and fraternal order of Eagles 3752 both in Zephyrhills, Florida. His first job was in Sandusky, Ohio at Apex Electric. Then he joined the US Air Force for 4 years.  After he married he went to work at Woodland Metal and then Crowell Carton in Marshall.  From there he went to work with his father-in-law at Arts Grocery & Delicatessen in Battle Creek.  He then became a salesman on the road selling patented medicines to grocery stores.  The first 24 years he worked for Ball Drug Service out of Fort Wayne, Indiana that later sold out to Finley Sundry Sales in Findlay Ohio.  For a short time he worked for Robkey and then finished his on the road career with Michiana Merchandise out of Mishawaka Indiana.  In 1989 he bought a local grocery store in Burlington where he owned and operated CD’s Party Store until his retirement in 1995 when he sold the business to his son Christopher. During his life he traveled all 50 states and Providences of Canada.  International travel included Mexico, Japan, Ireland, France, Italy and England as well as cruising the Caribbean.  After he retired, he stayed 3 months each year in Alaska during the summers of 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2004.  Since retirement he has wintered in the valley area of Texas and Zephyrhills Florida. His children are: Debra (Michael) Henry of Pekin, IL, Denise (Dave) Adams of Charlotte, Chuck (Alinda) Arnett, Jr of Battle Creek and Christopher Arnett.  His grandchildren are: Michael (Andrea) Henry II, Patrick Henry, Laura (Kyle) Hoover, Holley (Joe) Raleigh and Allison (Anthony) Hancock.  Great grandchildren include: Elijah and Moira Henry, Nolan Vincent, Kylee and Christopher Hoover, Morgan and Caden Raleigh.  He had two sisters Betty Lee (Ottis) Arnett of Salyersville and Cara Sue (RB) Williams of Monroe, Ohio.  His “foster” siblings, who all preceded him in death, are: Leathe Arnett, Prater (Eunice) Arnett, Patrick (Lottie) Arnett and Leona (Eldon) Burgett.  Cousins, who all called him Uncle Charles, are: John Edward (Becky) Arnett, Paul Douglas (Barbara) Arnett, William Henry Arnett, Lillian Joyce (George) Brown, Karen Ruth (Calvin) Pitts, James David (Tamra) Arnett, Barbara Ann (Dukey) Arnett and Jean (Charles) Morgan.  He has two nephews Randy Berry Williams and Jason Tod Williams and one special niece Jaynie Lee (Eddie) Poe. There are many great nieces and nephews.  Charles was preceded in death by sister Betty Lee Arnett, brother-in-laws Ottis Arnett and RB Williams, cousin James David Arnett and son Christopher Arnett. He enjoyed taking long drives and spending time just visiting with family and friends.  He pretty much hunted and fished all his life and had also been known to shoot a few games of pool. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Legion Post 465 in Climax for all the great programs and contributions they provide to veterans. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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