Arthur Jay Des Jardins

Arthur Jay Des Jardins, age 79, of Caseville, died July 17, 2005 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw of cancer.

Art was born April 18, 1926 in Filion to the late Samuel and Ruth (Horton) Des Jardins. He grew up in Filion and graduated from Kinde High School in 1943. He entered the US Navy during World War II, and stayed in the Navy for 20 years, serving for many years at Grosse Ile. He was discharged as a Chief Petty Officer. Art married Alma Storebeck of Kinde on December 11, 1948 in Tom’s River, New Jersey. After retiring from the Navy, he moved to the Flint/Fenton area and worked there for 20 years as a State Farm Insurance agent, retiring in 1985. His wife Alma died on October 30, 1984 and he then married Patricia Neu on December 14, 1985 at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville. Together they retired to Caseville that same year.

Art was a lifetime member of the VFW #4289 in Winter Haven, Florida, where he helped convert the current hall from an old airplane hanger. He also used his skills as a woodworker to craft flag and window cases that remain an integral part of that club’s history to this day. He was a member of the Caseville Eagles #3690 and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Art is survived by his wife Patricia; children Barbara Des Jardins (Richard Lutowski) of Texas, Paul of Flint, Thomas (Kathy) of California, Gary (Karen) of Midland and Kenneth of Illinois; step children Missie Wellman of White Lake and James (Bridgit) Delaney of Grand Cayman B.W.I.; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter; sisters Milly Cox of Montana and Frances Daron of Idaho and a brother, Ron Des Jardins of Montana.

Art was preceded in death by his wife Alma, siblings Robert, Kenneth, Beatrice, Eugene and Alma Gottschalk, and a granddaughter, Marcia Lutowski.

A funeral scripture service will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 20th at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, with Rev. Kenneth Yaroch presiding. Burial with military honors will be in Colfax Townhip Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-8 PM Tuesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and from 9:00 AM Wednesday until the time of the service at church. There will be a veteran’s memorial service at 4:00 PM Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the family.