Arnold Bernard Velting
September 30th, 1932 - September 27th, 2023
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Arnold's Obituary
Arnold (Joe) Bernard Velting
September 30, 1932 - September 27, 2023
In the early morning of September 27, 2023, Arnold "Joe" Velting of Sodus, MI passed away peacefully just a few days prior to his 91st birthday.
Arnold was born September 30, 1932, the eldest of four children born to Ben and Emma Velting of Olivet, Michigan. Arnold grew up in rural central Michigan working on his family’s strawberry farm and on the surrounding onion farms. While in high school he was known for his baseball pitching skills, and was scouted for the Detroit Tigers. In the winters he loved ice fishing and playing ice hockey.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in the Spring of 1954 from Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC), now known as Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI where he met his future wife, Beverly. They were married in May 1954 at a small ceremony in Niles, Michigan. Arnold then joined the U.S. Army and the couple moved to Nuremberg, Germany where he was stationed for two years, serving as a medic and radioman. While in the Army, he was given an award for Good Behavior, and it was also while in Germany that the couple’s first daughter, Joanne, was born in May, 1955.
Upon returning to the States, Arnold joined the faculty at Indiana Academy in Cicero, IN as Farm Manager and Assistant Boys Dean. The couple’s second daughter, Janette, was born in May of 1957, followed by the birth of their son Gayland in May of 1960. Soon thereafter, the family relocated to Southwest lower Michigan, where Arnold began teaching in the Benton Harbor Public School system. He taught 7th and 8th grade science for 18 years, initially at Boynton Elementary School and later at Fairplain Junior High School.
Arnold and Beverly were members of the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church where Arnold served as a deacon. The couple was active in the church for many years while all three of their children attended the Seventh-day Adventist Edith B. Garrett (EBG) Elementary School. There are many lifelong friendships that continue to this day from those early associations.
Arnold loved being outdoors and was happiest when fishing, canoeing, camping and hiking in Michigan and Canada with his brother and father, and later with his wife and children. He enjoyed photography and taxidermy, and maintained tropical fish tanks in his classrooms. In his free time, he worked toward obtaining his Masters Degree in Marine Biology. He spent the summer of 1969 at a Marine Biology Station in Anacortes, Washington, where his family joined him for an unforgettable few weeks, exploring first the Northwest Coast, then Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and eventually hiking the Grand Canyon.
Throughout his teaching career, Arnold also worked at his own business, Velting Construction, providing residential remodeling and handyman services for many friends and former co-workers in the area. In later years he spent his winters in Florida where he oversaw the operation of fresh fruit markets and five Christmas tree lots in Miami and West Palm Beach. He continued to work until he was well into his 80s.
Although he never completely stopped working, the last few years he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing, watching Notre Dame football, and going out to breakfast at iHop or Farmers Country nearly every morning. He also took great pride in continuing to do his own yard work even at age 90. He remained active and lived independently in his own home until shortly before his death.
Arnold was preceded in death by his son Gayland, his brother Wayne, sisters Evelyn and Iva, his parents Ben and Emma, and his former wife Beverly. He is survived by his daughter Joanne (Bill) Mullin of Kansas City, MO, his daughter Janette (Doug) Velting-Scroggs of South Bend, IN, grandsons Matt and Billy Mullin, great-grandson Max Mullin, several nieces and nephews, and many other dear friends.
Those who knew Dad, probably knew he was uncomfortable being in the spotlight. As such, and although he loved and appreciated each and every one of you, it was his stated preference to forego any visitation or memorial services at this time. His final wishes were to simply be buried with his son Gayland at Millburg Cemetery, Millburg, MI at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Starks Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Great Lakes Adventist Academy, PO Box 68, 7477 Academy Road, Cedar Lake, MI 48812 or online at glaa.net.
September 30, 1932 - September 27, 2023
In the early morning of September 27, 2023, Arnold "Joe" Velting of Sodus, MI passed away peacefully just a few days prior to his 91st birthday.
Arnold was born September 30, 1932, the eldest of four children born to Ben and Emma Velting of Olivet, Michigan. Arnold grew up in rural central Michigan working on his family’s strawberry farm and on the surrounding onion farms. While in high school he was known for his baseball pitching skills, and was scouted for the Detroit Tigers. In the winters he loved ice fishing and playing ice hockey.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in the Spring of 1954 from Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC), now known as Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI where he met his future wife, Beverly. They were married in May 1954 at a small ceremony in Niles, Michigan. Arnold then joined the U.S. Army and the couple moved to Nuremberg, Germany where he was stationed for two years, serving as a medic and radioman. While in the Army, he was given an award for Good Behavior, and it was also while in Germany that the couple’s first daughter, Joanne, was born in May, 1955.
Upon returning to the States, Arnold joined the faculty at Indiana Academy in Cicero, IN as Farm Manager and Assistant Boys Dean. The couple’s second daughter, Janette, was born in May of 1957, followed by the birth of their son Gayland in May of 1960. Soon thereafter, the family relocated to Southwest lower Michigan, where Arnold began teaching in the Benton Harbor Public School system. He taught 7th and 8th grade science for 18 years, initially at Boynton Elementary School and later at Fairplain Junior High School.
Arnold and Beverly were members of the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church where Arnold served as a deacon. The couple was active in the church for many years while all three of their children attended the Seventh-day Adventist Edith B. Garrett (EBG) Elementary School. There are many lifelong friendships that continue to this day from those early associations.
Arnold loved being outdoors and was happiest when fishing, canoeing, camping and hiking in Michigan and Canada with his brother and father, and later with his wife and children. He enjoyed photography and taxidermy, and maintained tropical fish tanks in his classrooms. In his free time, he worked toward obtaining his Masters Degree in Marine Biology. He spent the summer of 1969 at a Marine Biology Station in Anacortes, Washington, where his family joined him for an unforgettable few weeks, exploring first the Northwest Coast, then Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and eventually hiking the Grand Canyon.
Throughout his teaching career, Arnold also worked at his own business, Velting Construction, providing residential remodeling and handyman services for many friends and former co-workers in the area. In later years he spent his winters in Florida where he oversaw the operation of fresh fruit markets and five Christmas tree lots in Miami and West Palm Beach. He continued to work until he was well into his 80s.
Although he never completely stopped working, the last few years he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing, watching Notre Dame football, and going out to breakfast at iHop or Farmers Country nearly every morning. He also took great pride in continuing to do his own yard work even at age 90. He remained active and lived independently in his own home until shortly before his death.
Arnold was preceded in death by his son Gayland, his brother Wayne, sisters Evelyn and Iva, his parents Ben and Emma, and his former wife Beverly. He is survived by his daughter Joanne (Bill) Mullin of Kansas City, MO, his daughter Janette (Doug) Velting-Scroggs of South Bend, IN, grandsons Matt and Billy Mullin, great-grandson Max Mullin, several nieces and nephews, and many other dear friends.
Those who knew Dad, probably knew he was uncomfortable being in the spotlight. As such, and although he loved and appreciated each and every one of you, it was his stated preference to forego any visitation or memorial services at this time. His final wishes were to simply be buried with his son Gayland at Millburg Cemetery, Millburg, MI at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Starks Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph, MI.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Great Lakes Adventist Academy, PO Box 68, 7477 Academy Road, Cedar Lake, MI 48812 or online at glaa.net.
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