Robert J. "Joe" Arthur

BRAZIL — Robert J. “Joe” Arthur, 77, of Brazil, passed away at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, in Holly Hills Health Care. He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Greene County, to Paul C. Arthur and Mary Carmichael Arthur.He graduated from Bloomfield High School and briefly attended Indiana University. On Feb. 2, 1949, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Crites. He worked in Indianapolis for a while before moving to Sullivan to work with his mother and step-father, Gail Combs, in the Western Auto Store. In 1960 he moved to Brazil when he purchased the Western Auto store, which was located in the current Shaw Appliance building on U.S. Highway 40. As the business grew and expanded the store was moved to the location of the present Goodwill Store from 1964 until it closed in 1995. For many years it was one of the top ten Western Auto Stores in the nation through good customers and employees. The Arthurs won many trips in and out of the U.S. through purchases with Western Auto. Joe’s favorite pastime was aviation.He attended Brown Flying School in Terre Haute, and earned his pilots license in 1960. He was president of the Clay County Board of Aviation Commissioners for many years. He, along with others, was instrumental in getting an airport for Clay County, which was at one time named the Arthur Municipal Airport. He spent many hours getting state and federal aid to keep the airport expanding with a paved runway, lights and fuel, and he was always willing to take anyone flying. He had many, many friends in the aviation field. He was a member of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 762, the American Legion, Ducks Unlimited, Airport Owners and Pilots Association, and many other civic organizations,. He had attended Brazil Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father; his mother; Mary Carmichael Arthur Combs; and his step-father, Gail Combs. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty; two daughters, Susan Arthur, and Nancy Pell and husband Dan, all of Brazil; five grandchildren, David and Shelly Elder of San Marcos, Calif., Amanda Elder of Berkeley, Calif., Jim Pell and Ann Pell, both of Brazil, all of which he greatly enjoyed. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Lawson-Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Ave. Burial will be 4 p.m. Saturday in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, near Bloomfield. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.