ARSENEAU, FLAVIAN J.

EDWARDSBURG – Flavian Joseph Arseneau, 87, passed to his rest on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in his home in Edwardsburg, MI. He had been ill with COPD and congestive heart failure for the past couple of months. Flavian was born Jan 3, 1921, in Kankakee, IL, to Paul and Irene (Chartier) Arseneau. He had lived most of his young life in the Chicago area, moving to Michigan in 1949. During World War II, Flavian served in the South Pacific for three years and three months, without a leave, in the United States Marine Raider 4th Battalion. He received the Purple Heart after losing his eye on Okinawa, the day the Japanese surrendered. He married Helen McKinney in Chicago on Nov. 28, 1941. Helen passed away May 2, 1999. Other members of his family who have passed are his parents; two brothers, Everett and Elwood; and three sisters, Dorothy Drake, Lillian Butler and Vernene Blake. Surviving are his four children, Flavian Kenneth (Sue) Arseneau of Vandalia, MI, Diana (Mike) Seward of Niles, Gemma (Terry) Knepple of Edwardsburg and Kevin (Fran) Arseneau of Chugiak, AK. Flavian is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. He has one sister, Mariepaule Hirstein of Elkhart; and a brother, Elmer (Delores) McKenna of Beaufort, SC. Flavian was employed for many years as vice president of Elkhart Brass, Elkhart. He and his wife spent about 12 years living in St. Petersburg, FL, where Flavian managed his own filling station before working as the parts manager at Central Garage. Flavian enjoyed fishing, boating and working crossword and jig-saw puzzles. He was an avid gardener before becoming disabled. He also was a classic movie enthusiast, collecting more than a thousand VHS and DVD movies. Flavian was quick to teach himself new technology to stay current with all the electronic hookups needed to view his movies. Flavian also enjoyed buying toys every year to entertain not only himself but his grandchildren. His door was always open. Cremation has already taken place. Burial of the cremains of Flavian, and his wife, Helen, who passed in 1999, will both be buried at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI (Battle Creek) on April 23, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. The family will meet on the entrance boulevard into the cemetery, to be escorted to the committal area, where the military will do a military rite. There will be no local visitation or service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice At Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg, MI.