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Arning, SGT Bernhard Christopher "Ben" Sr. (1920-2005)
Arning, Bernhard C. (-2005)
Obituary
2005
Funeral services for Bernhard C. Arning Sr., 84, of Bleiblerville, were held on Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 from Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Jason Korthauer officiating.
Burial was in the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Leland Maeckel, Kermit Kolwes, Elroy Wiecker, Willie Stoerner, Ruben Rudloff, and Willie Winklemann. Honorary Pallbearers were Mike Arning and Joe Chovanec. Ben was born in Bleiblerville to parents John Arning Sr. and Frieda (Wiecker) Arning. He was raised in the Bleiblerville area and attended Scranton Grove School. He was baptized by Pastor Appel on April 24, 1921 and confirmed by Pastor Mansur on April 6, 1936 at Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome. Ben married Helen Emshoff on Feb. 14, 1942 in Bellville. Shortly thereafter, Ben was drafted into military service and served in the Army as first sergeant and as a Military Policeman in Mexico and Washington D.C. He was assigned to surpervise the changing of the guard on the hour at the White House and at the United States Capitol. He was a personal escort for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ben was also an interpreter for the German prisoners of war who were housed in the United States during WWII. During this war time, Ben and Helen had their first son, Bernhard C. Arning Jr. After five years of military service, Ben received an honorable discharge and took his family to Houston where he worked as a superintendent for J.S. Norman Construction. While in Houston, their second son, Allen Craig Arning was born. The family attended St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Ben joined the American Legion Post 654 and served in many offices, including Post Commander. He was also a District Commander. During this time, Ben organized many things for the Legion, including drill teams, firing squads, and teams to attend funerals and present American Flags. He also organized the Sons of the Legion. Ben took to heart the Legion motto, "For God and Country" and felt the importance of fostering this sense of patriotism in others. Ben and his family lived for 27 years in Houston and spent the later years commuting back and forth to Bleiblerville on the weekends. In 1980, Ben and Helen moved back to Bleiblerville and joined his childhood church home, Welcome Lutheran. Ben was also a member of the Industry Fire Department. He worked for Austin County for 14 years before finally retiring due to failing eyesight. Ben enjoyed deer hunting with his buddies, fishing with his grandchildren, working around the farm, and relaxing on the porch with family and friends. Ben Arning died on Monday Jan. 17, 2005. Ben is survived by his two sons Bernhard Arning Jr. and daughter-in-law Diane of Houston, and Allen Craig Arning and daughter-in-law Debbie of Cypress; four granddaughters, Kimberly Arning Jones and husband Scott of Bleiblerville, Kristen Leigh Harden and husband Curtis of Houston, Carrie Arning and Courtney Arning of Cypress; two great grandchildren, Tyler Bond and Kyle Jones of Bleiblerville; sister-in-law Leona Arning of Bleiblerville; niece Linda Tarver of Bleiblerville; nephews, Michael Arning of Waco, Mark Arning of Bellville and Matthew Arning of Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frieda Arning, wife Helen Emshoff Arning, brother John Arning, and brother Roy Arning and sister-in-law Toni. Memorial contributions can be made to Welcome Lutheran Church 13636 FM 109, Brenham, Texas 77833, or the Bleiblerville VFD, P.O. Box 151, Bleiblerville, Texas 78931. Funeral services were under the direction of Knesek Family Funeral Chapels of Bellville. Source: Bellville Times Submitted by: Joy Neely |
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Arning
Bernhard C.
2005
1009
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