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Merle Arnhart
10/24/1926 — 01/03/2014
From Benton, City, WA, US | Born in Rocky Hill, AR
Merle Arnhart
Merle Arnhart, 87, of Benton City passed away peacefully to the arms of Jesus on the morning of January 3rd 2014 at Kadlec Hospital.
Merle was born and raised in Rocky Hill Arkansas and attended Arkansas State Teachers college. She taught elementary school in Arkansas and in Benton City, WA for a combined 34 years of teaching.
Merle was married to the love of her life, Vern, on the 14th of May 1949 and together had two boys. Merle was very active within the community and loved to help others. She volunteered 16 years at the Benton City food bank and served an active role within the local First Baptist Church. Beside her love for being a seamstress, keeping the yard perfect, and tending her giant rose garden that she took so much pride in, family was her top priority. Merle was known to many as "Mom" and "Sweetie", but to her ten grandchildren, she was known affectionately as "Granny".
She is survived by her husband Vernal Arnhart of Benton City and two sons: Greg Arnhart & wife Vicki of Oregon City, OR, and Garth Arnhart & wife Bonnie of Bellingham, WA. Her grandchildren: Kyle Arnhart, Michelle Armstrong, Laura Juan Martinez from Oregon City, OR, & Zach Karin, Michael, Emily, Janeal, William, Tommy, and Caroline from Bellingham, WA. Also her two great-grandchildren: Alexander and Benjamin Arnhart.
A viewing will take place on Monday, January 6th from 5PM-7PM at Memories at Sunset Event Center in Richland.
A funeral will take place on Tuesday, January 7th starting at 11AM at Memories at Sunset Event Center, 915 ByPass Hwy Richland.
Greg: So sorry to hear of this. I have lost both my parents now. It takes time but it gets better. Hang in there buddy, Ron
“You don’t have to be a ‘person of influence’ to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.”
-Author Unknown
Greg: So sorry to hear of this. I have lost both my parents now. It takes time but it gets better. Hang in there buddy, Ron
“You don’t have to be a ‘person of influence’ to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.”
-Author Unknown
So very sorry to hear of my 3rd grade teacher’s passing. My thoughts are with the Arnhardt family.
Granny, I love you so much and I’ve enjoyed every minute that I’ve spent with you. You’ve touched so many people Granny it’s amazing.
Granny, don’t worry about Papa. We’ll take good care of him, he’ll have plenty of coffee and yes, he’s still got a beard.
Have fun in Heaven Granny.
I’ll miss you more than anyone will ever know and I’ll look forward to the time where we can play yahtzee together again and I can write in your crossword book.
#1 Grandson
Granny – I’m not sure where to begin or how to express my words for you because I love you so much.
You were one of the first people to see me come into this world and I was the last person to brush your teeth and give you a kiss before you left us however now you’re resting, taking naps which we both love and making everyone quilts in heaven.
Heaven is so lucky to have you Granny. You’re probably getting your sawing station all set up and have already played a few games of yahtzee.
Granny, this has been the toughest week of my entire 27 yrs of life however having family together, laughing and remembering old times is truly remarkable.
To be continued…
I was so blest to have counted Merle among my friends, the last couple of years were especially wonderful getting to know her in a more intimate fashion. Merle was one of those true ladies you meet once in a lifetime who truly reflected Christ in all she did and I can just see her meeting her savior with her love for him shining in her face. Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your beautiful wife and mom, be assured that you will meet her again one day in God’s glorious kingdom! With heartfelt love Bob and Mary
Vern and family,
I have many fond memories from my time as your pastor at First Baptist BC, early 80’s. I especially remember the grand father clock chiming, regularly – just kidding. God blessed me more tnan I can state, and you and your family were a big part of that.
“God is your Shepherd, He is all you need…”
Sadly, I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I feel as though I know you. I have had the the great fortune of getting to know you over the last 15 years through all the wonderful stories your amazing daughter-in-law Vicki would share. She was so honored to be part of your family. I feel as though I’ve walked through your beautiful rose garden after hearing in such detail from Vicki. You were a gift to this world. The love you shared with your family was beautiful. I know how lucky Vicki felt every day to have you in her life. Thank you for being such a great mom to Vicki and Greg and a wonderful granny to Kyle, Michelle and Laura. They loved you so much. May you rest in peace walking around in a beautiful rose garden in heaven.
Dear Granny,
When I think of you I have only fond memories. You were the most patient woman I’ve ever met: caring, wonderful, and so full of love. I will remember sitting around your big kitchen table, passing juice and toast. I remember my awe of your cross-stitched designs hanging on the walls – a reminder of your artistic gifts.
I hope you know that you raised a wonderful family that I am so lucky to be a part of. Greg is an exemplary man who follows in your footsteps. He is gentle, patient, and loving – the kind of dad that every child wants to have. Thank you for that! I hope you know that your legacy lives on because my little brother has many of your traits too. He is peaceful, kind, and puts himself last – just like you.
I want to thank you for the years of birthday cards that you sent to me. Every card arrived and did its job of brightening my day. I want you to know that I hold your memories close to my heart and that I love you more than you will ever know!
Granny
You are the whisper in the wind,
I hear your hushed words in every tick tock.
I feel you in the hand-stitched quilt that is wrapped to keep me warm.
I smell you in the fresh cut roses,
I touch you in the papery bark that peels from the tallest trees.
I know you’re there when I taste apricot jam.
I worry that my heart will ache with longing.
I cry that the world will miss your loving touch, but
I understand that Jesus was ready to call you home.
I say my tears are not for you, but for my broken heart.
I dream that you are healed and perfectly free.
I will hold you in my heart forever.
You are the whisper in the wind.
What a special lady, one of many talents that she shared with both friends and family. How many children did she teach and encourage during those school years? All 3 of ours had the priviledge of her as their 3rd Gr. teacher. Merle had a special love for her teaching and it showed. You are going to be missed greatly, however I’m sure God has wonderful plans for you there. Blessings to all the family.
“The people who influence us most are not those who buttonhole us and talk to us, but those who live their lives like the stars in heaven and the lilies in the field, perfectly, simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mould us”.
One cannot think of Aunt Merle without a smile on your face and love in your heart. I love and miss you……~Marlene
Dear Granny,
It was very tough saying Good Bye to you today.Your service was beautiful. During the service, the pastor asked if anyone wanted to share a memory. I sat there thinking of all the memories I wanted to share, but couldn’t pull myself together enough to do so. I wanted to tell the world how much I love you. I wanted to tell them what an amazing role model you have been. I wanted to tell them what an inspiration you have been. I wanted to tell them how your holiday cards lit up my day. I wanted to tell them about you taking me shopping for school clothes every year. I wanted to tell them why I respected you so much and how much I admired your accomplishments. The most important think I wanted to say is that your legacy lives on. The hearts you have touched will never be forgotten. You are truly an angel. Thank you for being you sweet lady.
Hugs and Kisses,
Michelle, your oldest Granddaughter and fellow 3rd grade teacher.
Guestbook for
Merle Arnhart