Raymond W. Arent

Raymond W. Arent, 84, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Westwoods of Bridgman.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 31 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. William Bridgman officiating. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 4:30 P.M Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Those wishing to sign Ray’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.   Ray was born August 19, 1931 in Benton Harbor to Clinton & Alberta (Phillips) Arent. He attended St. Joseph High School, Class of 1952.  He was employed at Bendix for many years before gaining employment with Whirlpool, from where he retired.  After a long courtship, he married the former Mildred “Millie” LaPorte Christians on June 30, 2006 in South Bend.  Ray was a very friendly, outgoing man with friends too numerous to mention.  He had a fascination with airplanes.  In his free time he cherished the time spent with his friends and family and especially his great grandchildren.   Ray is survived by his wife Millie; his children-Sharyl (Greg) Mart of Zeeland, MI, David (Suzanne) Arent of Benton Harbor; his step-children-David (JoAnn) Christians of Edwardsburg, MI, Kenneth (Sue Ghist) Christians of Benton Harbor, Cynthia Christians Haines of St. Joseph; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers-Jack Arent & Charles Arent & his wife Pearl; his granddaughter Sarah Mart, two great-grandchildren-Bryce Dixon & Miecca Oroz, step-son Jim Christians, son-in-law Larry Haines and the mother of his children, Barbara Schaus Foss.