Virgil Arling

1932 - 2023

Virgil C. Arling, age 90, of Minster, OH passed away on Jan. 7, 2023, at the Gardens of St. Henry with family at his bedside.
He was born on Jan. 11, 1932, on a farm near St. Patrick, OH to the late Henry and Bertha (Kaiser) Arling and attended Ft. Loramie schools. He married Martha Schroeder on July 24, 1954, and they were married for 66 years before she passed away on Nov. 8, 2020.
Surviving are his children, Jerry and Barb Arling, Minster; Cindy and Terry Liette, Coldwater; Brenda and Bill McCroskey, Sidney; Linda and Brad Holdren, New Bremen; Jeff and Marna Arling, Minster; Mark and Karen Arling, Greenville; Chris and Bruce Shinabery, Minster; and Michael and Chyna Arling, New Bremen. An infant son Joseph Henry was stillborn. He has a total of 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one on the way. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was preceded in death by Walter and Vera Arling; Elmer and Millie Arling; Dorothy and Arnold Hoelscher; and Irene Arling. He is also preceded in death by in-laws Carol and Fred Perise and Nick and Marlene Hoelscher. Surviving are in-laws Virgil (Butch) and Katie Schroeder.
He proudly served in the 3rd Marine Division in Japan during the Korean War. While stationed in Quantico, Virginia he was involved in services for numerous members of Congress and had the distinct honor to march in the inaugural parade for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
He initially worked in the construction industry with his brother, Walter, and in 1964 began his work history with the Village of Minster. He was Street Commissioner for 24 years before being appointed the Village Administrator in 1988, from which he retired in 1993. During his tenure, he was a delegate to the Auglaize County Regional Planning Commission for ten years, two as President. He was one of the founders of the Western Auglaize Rail Authority. He fully retired from the village in 1995 and returned to construction projects for his children and community members.
He was a lifelong member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for eighteen years and on the cemetery board for six years. He served on the Minster Fire Department for 26 years, with sixteen years as Assistant Chief. He was able to use his life-saving training from the department on several occasions to help those in need. He was also a member of the Minster Civic Association and was named Citizen of the Year in 1993
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6432, American Legion Post #387, and the Marine Corp League. For his extensive service to veterans, he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2004 by then governor, Bob Taft, and Senator Jim Jordan.
With the American Legion level, he served as the local Post Commander for 15 terms, Auglaize County Commander for 4 terms, Ohio 2nd District Commander for 1 term, District Historian for 12 years, and Oratorical Chairman for 10 years. He was also the Ohio Department Historian for 13 years and an Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. He served with the Auglaize Country Veterans Service Committee for ten years, two as President and founded the first Veterans Day at the Auglaize County fair. He was active in Buckeye Boys' State serving as Trustee for 16 years. Along with his wife, Martha, he organized the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in Minster for 10 years.
He will be remembered by many through his contributions and numerous organizations he served with, and volunteer work. He was dedicated to his family and to hard work. His personal motto was "Always do everything to the best of your ability". This motto has been a cornerstone to his many years of service to the Village of Minster, his family, and the nation. The family is very grateful for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Virgil and his family by the staff at the St. Henry Gardens and EverHeart Hospice.
A mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM Friday, January 13, 2023, at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, Minster. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Agustine Cemetery. Friends may call at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster from 2 to 8 PM on Thursday and from 9 to 9:30 AM on Friday. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Minster Area Life Squad. Condolences my be left at HogenkampFH.com.