Arnold H. "Arnie" Kantola

Arnie Kantola greeted every day with his unique sense of humor. He loved to laugh and smile, and each day he tried to share his joy with the many people he loved. His family was the center of his life, and he was the happiest in their company. Following the end of the Great War, thousands of young soldiers returned home to their civilian lives. With the new demands of a peacetime nation, the economy prospered and national industry boomed. In this climate of prosperity, Sylvester Kantola and his wife Hilma Pietila discovered a different reason to celebrate. They were expecting a child, and on February 20, 1923 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Arnold. The third of ten children of Finnish origin, Arnie was born in Ishpeming, Michigan. At the age of four months, he moved to Ravenna Michigan with his family where he grew up on a farm with his four brothers and five sisters. Arnie ultimately dropped out of school to work on the farm. At the age of eighteen he left home and joined the U.S. Army to serve in the Second World War. He served in the 101st Airborne as a radio operator from 1943 to 1945. Arnie parachuted into Normandy on D-day and into Holland as well. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge, including Bastogne, and Ardennes for which he received the Bronze Star. Additional decorations and citations include: EAME Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Victory Medal. In addition, Arnie fought in the Rhineland and Central European campaigns. After safely returning home from the War, he rarely talked about his experiences. Following his discharge in 1945, Arnie returned home to the family farm in Michigan and began working for Agerstrand Machine. He was a handsome young man, a few inches under six feet with brown hair, hazel eyes, and long arms and big hands. He easily made friends with women, but he was yet to meet that special someone. At John Thompson's General Store, his sister Eunice introduced him to an attractive young woman named Ruth Johnston. For Arnie, this was love at first sight. Ruth was twenty years old; he was a few years older at twenty-three. They began dating and spent the next few months going to movies, baseball games, and bumming around town. Arnie introduced his sister Edna to Ruth's brother Ralph. A romance also sparked between them, and they later got married. After dating for eleven months, Arnie and Ruth were united in marriage on November 9, 1946. For the first six months of their marriage, they lived with Grandpa Pietila. While Arnie and his brother Alfred attended electrical school in Chicago, Ruth returned home to live with her parents and began working for the Muskegon County Court House. Arnie visited her on weekends. After six months at school, he returned to Michigan. He and Ruth built their first home on White Road in Ravenna, Michigan. They were blessed with four wonderful children. Sharon was born in 1948, followed by Arland in 1951, Joel in 1956, and Troy in 1963. All of the children attended Reeths Puffer School. In 1956 Arnie and his family moved into a new house which he built at 1372 Schuler Street in Muskegon. They became charter members of Calvary Memorial Church of Muskegon, which Arnie helped to construct. He was a devout Christian who eagerly shared his faith with his children. When his mother died in 1957, Arnie's faith helped him through his grief. To provide for his growing family, Arnie began working at Wittaker Electric. He later transferred to Gearpress Wringer where he worked as a Plant Superintendent, and then to Nugent Sand where he worked as Production Manager and electrician. He was a fifty year member of the Electrical Workers Union. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting. He also belonged to the Don Rhea V.F.W. Post and the Whitehall American Legion. He retired in 1987. In his later years, Arnie was thrilled to see his family grow with the blessing of several grandchildren. He was a devoted grandpa who never missed their activities and sporting events. He deeply loved his family, especially the youngest members, and he was eager to spend every possible moment with them. In 1998 Arnie's health began to decline. He developed tongue cancer, prostrate cancer, and coronary artery disease. He underwent radiation therapy, but continued to experience trouble while swallowing. This led to chronic lung problems. Arnie heroically fought through his ailments. Despite the many obstacles, he maintained his characteristically optimistic spirit. Arnie was a devoted husband, father, and grandpa. He regarded his family as his greatest treasure, and he was happy for all the moments that they spent together. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Arnie died Thursday, January 25, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth; 3 sons, Arland (Susan) of Muskegon, Joel (JoAnn) of Ravenna, Troy (Sharon) of Whitmore Lake, MI; 1 daughter, Sharon (Erich) Schenk of Switzerland; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 5 sisters, Edna Johnston of IN, Gertrude Veeneman of Coopersville, MI, Gladys (Ralph) Rogers of Ravenna, Elizabeth Campbell of Greenville, MI, Eunice (Dale) Volkers of Spring Lake; 2 brothers, Rudolph "Rudy" (Arzella) Kantola of IL & Thomas (Christine) Kantola of Ravenna; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Arthur & Alfred. SERVICE: Thursday, February 1, 2007, 11:00 AM at Calvary Memorial Church, 909 E. Giles, Muskegon, MI 49445 with Rev. Jeffery Dunn officiating with military honors under the Auspices of the Don Rhea V.F.W. Post #8846. VISITATION: Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Calvary Memorial Church. Please visit Arnie's personal memory page at