Obit: Arno Eschels, 90, Ludington

Arno R. Eschels, aged 90 of Ludington, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. Arno was born on April 6, 1923 in Free Soil to Julius M. and Elsie M. (Pirsig) Eschels, and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1942. On June 2, 1951, he married Shirley A. Bagley at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Pelton’s Corners, and they have celebrated 62 blessed years together. Arno was a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville where he served as an Elder, Chairman of the Congregation, and as Sunday School Superintendent. As a carpenter, he helped build the Mason County Central High School, and managed Fountain Lumber for over 15 years. Arno worked as a Realtor for Klemm-Elliott Realtors, and also worked as a courier for West Shore Bank until his retirement. He was a Life Member and Past-President of the Scottville Optimist Club, and also served as Lt. Governor for Optimist International. An avid bowler, he bowled on the Hansen Evergreen Dairy team for many years, and could often be found playing an intense game of Setback or Pinochle with his friends.

Arno was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Erv Eschels, and his sisters Edna Hansen, and Doris Rader. He will be greatly missed by his wife Shirley, his daughter Sara Eschels of Grand Rapids, his sons Daniel J. (Donna) Eschels of Austin, TX, Steven (Robin) Eschels of Homestead, FL, and Jeffrey (Kristi Etherton) Eschels of Winter Park, FL, his grandson John Michael Etherton, his brother Carl (Lois) Eschels of Grand Rapids, his brothers-in-law Robert (Patricia) Bagley of Montague, Wilbur “Bill” (Jean) Bagley of Dimondale, and Richard (Vonda) Bagley of Deltona, FL, and his sister-in-law Delores Barton of Warren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held for Arno at 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 2 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville. Burial will follow at South Victory Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Friday evening from 6 – 8 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church, and on Saturday afternoon for a time of visitation and fellowship from 1:30 – 3:00 pm also at the church. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Mission Fund of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Please visit Arno’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to sign his guestbook, or to leave a memory of Arno for his family. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home.