Obituary of Kenneth Ralph Arting

Kenneth Ralph Arting was born on July 30, 1928, in Azalia, Michigan. He was one of five children born to the union of Clarence John Arting and Elsie (Opfermann) Arting.  Ken attended Dundee High School, graduating with the class of 1945 and was the last living classmate.  Shortly after high school he started working at Ford Motor Company. After some time, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Army where he was in the Korean War. During his enlistment Kenneth received the Korean Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. On August 2, 1952, Kenneth was Honorably Discharged from the armed forces and returned to Ford Motor Company, becoming a die repairman and retired in 1981, after 34 years.

On October 11, 1952, at the First Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Kenneth married the former Carol Discher and together the couple was blessed with six children. They raised their children on the farm which is located in rural Dundee. Sadly, Carol’s passing preceded Kenneth on July 27, 1996.  Kenneth found new love when he met Ms. Elaine Scholz-Rugila. They were united in holy matrimony on November 21, 1998, at the Azalia United Methodist Church in Azalia, Michigan.

Kenneth worked as a die repairman for over thirty-four years at the Ford Motor Company Rawsonville Plant.  He was also the owner and operator of Arting Farms, LLC. in Dundee for over seventy years.  Ken was a proud member of the United Auto Workers Local 898, American Legion Post #72 in Dundee, Michigan, a founding member of the Southeastern Michigan Antique Tractor and Engine Association. Kenneth loved spending time on Lake Erie fishing for walleye and perch. Ken and Elaine would spend their winters in Frostproof, Florida camping. He was an avid tractor puller and fan. He was a former member of the Northwestern Ohio National Tractor Pullers Association (blue shirt). Kenneth loved antique John Deere and Allis Chalmers tractors and loved watching Old Westerns.  He was a wonderful, caring, and kind man.  Most of all Ken was a fantastic father, grandfather, and great grandfather who dearly loved his family.

Kenneth Ralph Arting, age 95 of South Rockwood passed away peacefully at Corewell Health Beaumont Hospital in Trenton, Michigan with his loving family by his side. His passing was preceded by his parents: Clarence and Elsie Arting; his first wife: Carol Arting; a brother: George Arting; his baby sister in infancy; a grandson: Ryan Weimer; two sons-in-law: Robert Sanders and Roger Weimer; and two stepchildren: John W. Rugila and Marie Rugila Zion.

To cherish Kenneth’s memory he leaves his loving wife of twenty-four years: Elaine Arting of South Rockwood; three sons: John (Billie Jean Devinney) Arting of Madison Heights, Michigan, Senior Master Sergeant George (Dee) Arting of North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Richard (Susan) Arting of Maybee; three daughters: Patricia Sanders of Somerset, Michigan, Barbara (Micheal) Pizzolato of Cabot, Arkansas, and Carolyn Weimer of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; one step son: James Rugila, DVM of Bryan, Texas; two sisters: Jane Sommer of Dundee, Michigan, and Clara DeRossett of Lexington, South Carolina; ten grandchildren: Ian Arting, Lt. Colonel Aaron Arting, Amelia Gautz, Austin Arting, Jennifer White, Stephen Bastas, Alisa Sims, Bryan Weimer, Jessica Weimer, and Justin Weimer; and nineteen great grandchildren. 

Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Sunday; November 26, 2023 and also on Monday; November 27, 2023 at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156.  A Celebration of Kenneth’s Life will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday; November 28, 2023, also at Merkle’s.  Procession will follow to Azalia Cemetery in Azalia, Michigan for burial. Graveside services will be under the auspices of the Dundee Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.