Tilferd J. Arent

Tilferd J. “Til” Arent, 75, of Coloma, passed away Friday, January 19, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet with Rev. Mark Cowell officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens with Military Rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Midway Baptist Church or North Berrien Senior Center. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Arent was born May 7, 1931 in Benton Harbor to Samuel & Dorothy Arent. He graduated from Coloma High School, where in 1947 he scored a record setting 36 points on the basketball court in one game, a record which stood for many years. Til served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. On June 15, 1957, he married the former Arlene “Dolly” Schick. Til was employed by Whirlpool Corporation in St. Joseph, retiring in 1986 after 26 years. After retirement, he was employed at Lake Michigan Golf Hills for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed golf, playing every chance he had. Til also loved to travel with Dolly, visiting many places in both the US and overseas. He was also a diehard Chicago Cubs & Bears Fan. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and the Whirlpool Oldtimers. Mr. Arent is survived by his wife Arlene “Dolly” Arent; two daughters-Cheryl (Rick) Ryno of St. Joseph, Diane (John) Sonefeld of Ludington, MI; four grandchildren-Jason Ryno, Jennifer (Mike) Pratt, Matthew Sonefeld, Bethany Sonefeld; one great-granddaughter Kayla Pratt; two brothers-Norris (Margaret) Arent & Wes (Lois) Arent, both of Coloma; his sister Noreen Sonnenberg of St. Joseph; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Chris Arent, and siblings-Noble, Norman, Carl & Marilyn Arent.