Mr. Arthur Thomas Arehart Sr.

ARTHUR THOMAS AREHART, SR. November 26, 1927 – December 29, 2016 Arthur Thomas Arehart, 89, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville, Alabama following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters. Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 60 years, Elisabeth; his daughter Anita Schmitt and her husband Mark; his son Arthur, Jr. and his wife Susan; his son Chris and his wife Maria; grandchildren Carmen (Robert) Belflower, Craig (Abigail) Schmitt; Shayenne Arehart; great-grandchildren Jillian and Claire Belflower, brother Jimmy Arehart, sisters Dorothy Whitmer and Agatha (Gay) Meeks, extended family and many friends. Born on November 26, 1927 in Greenville, Viriginia and raised in Fishersville, Arthur was one of ten children of Vastine and Mabel Arehart. In his early years, Mr. Arehart worked at many jobs in his small farming community. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1945, and transitioned to the US Air Force in 1950. His military career included a year in the Korean War, a year in Viet Nam for which he earned the Bronze Star, and orders around the world including Alaska before statehood, Bermuda, Newfoundland, Iceland, Libya, the Azores and Germany. He met his wife, Elisabeth, in Erding, Germany and they were married in 1957. Chief Master Sergeant Arehart retired from the Air Force in 1975 after 30 years of honorable service. His proud military legacy includes both sons serving in the US military, as well as his son-in-law and his grandson-in-law. After his long career in the Air Force, CMSgt Arehart worked for the United States Postal Service. Once an avid runner, he and Elisabeth completed three marathons and numerous shorter races. Together they volunteered countless hours at Fitzsimmons Army base. The Areharts resided in Aurora, Colorado for 23 years before relocating to Colorado Springs. In 2016, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama to be closer to family. A funeral Mass officiated by Father Michael MacMahon will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on January 5 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 625 Airport Road SW in Huntsville, Alabama. A private interment at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL will be held at a later date.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the USO in Arthur Arehart’s memory. (P.O. Box 96860 Washington, DC 20077-7677) Please sign the guest registry at www.valhallafunerals.com