Chester Arent

Chester Arent, 96, of Watervliet, MI passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2016 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 1650 Bainbridge Center Road, Watervliet, MI 49098, with Reverend Deborah Kohler officiating. Burial will follow at Bainbridge Cemetery, Watervliet. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home or St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Those wishing to share a memory of Chester may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Chester was born October 16, 1919 in Benton Harbor, MI to Frank and Caroline (Waldenmaier) Arent. He attended Bainbridge Center School in Watervliet, MI. On December 12, 1953 he married Doris Kuehl in St. Joseph, MI.  Chester and his wife were fruit and vegetable farmers for over 40 years. At the height of his career he had a 200 acre fruit farm and supplied the Benton Harbor Fruit Market with apples, grapes, cherries, asparagus, plums, pears and strawberries from their farm. Chester was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Watervliet, the Benton Harbor Fruit Market and the Coloma Senior Center. He is survived by a son, David Arent of Watervliet. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and his beloved German Shepherd Baron. A special word of thanks is extended to his caregivers; Stacy Hembree, Douglas Horton, Eva Driver, Santiago Ogando as well as many others who provided wonderful care in his last year of life. Chester was preceded in death by his loving wife on October 20, 2013 after nearly 60 years of marriage, Doris, his parents, his step-father, Joseph Kuemnich, and two sisters, Velma Hall and Clara Klug.