Arthur Y. "Art" Fish

Arthur Fish

Arthur Young "Art" Fish, age 94 years, died Saturday Dec. 8, 2007 at Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold, Ohio where he had resided since Nov. 18, 2002.

Arthur was born in Colton, Ohio, March 12, 1913 in the house at the rear of the Red and White General Store. Great-grandson of pioneer John Fish of Stryker, Ohio, grandson of Arthur Miller Fish of Ottokee, Ohio, and son of Arthur Merton Fish and Mary S. Strong of Colton and Delta, Arthur was born into a merchant and teaching family.

He married the love of his life, Ruby Irene Fouty, on April 2, 1933. She preceded him in death on Jan. 13, 2006.

Arthur was proud of playing football for Delta High School and was an alumnus of Bowling Green State University.

He started his career in sales as a Bread man with Sherlock Bakery, when delivery in Toledo was made with a bread truck pulled by a horse. The family lived on Edgewood Drive.

During World War II he received a deferment so he could weld propellers at Continental Aviation for the war effort, and moved to Maplewood Drive in Sylvania, Ohio.

At end of the war, Arthur moved his family from Sylvania, where he had served faithfully on the volunteer fire department, to Archbold. He bought into his sister's store (Lesta Schroeder Champion) and it became Fish's 5 & 10. He served customers there from 1946 until his retirement in 1976.

All who came into his store were his friends, and to go to the 5 & 10 in Archbold was a joy for many people. His fresh vanilla and maple peanut clusters, which he would go to Spangler's for each week, were savored and loved by folks who frequented his store.

While in Archbold he was active in the Archbold Volunteer Fire Department, and was greatly involved in St. John's Christian Church, leading in the building of the church building on the corner. He served in many capacities at St. John's over the years, and loved the Lord. His favorite Christian hymn was "How Great Thou Art" and "His Eye is On the Sparrow." He would sing every night to Ruby Irene, and continued singing after her death. He was sure she knew of his continuing love for her.

His family was most important to him. He always had a joke or story to tell, and loving care was given by Arthur to each person who proudly declares him as their ancestor:

Son Arthur Marvin (Norma Jean Stuckey) of Stryker, Ohio and granddaughter Jan Marie (Daniel) Martinez of Stryker, Ohio, with great-grandson Bryson, with great-great granddaughter Alexa, and great-grandson Braden Martinez; and granddaughter Marjean Renee (Dale) Mottashed of Ayersville, Ohio, with great-granddaughters Brianna and Chelsea Mottashed.

Son Larry Louis (Elizabeth Gabrielle Macdonell Steuart) of Lambertville, Mich., and granddaughter Gabrielle Elizabeth (William) Warner of Cedar Springs, Mich., with great-grandchildren Michele and Jeffery; and grandson Steuart Arthur of Denver, Colo.; and granddaughter Lara Michele (Charles Michael Besly) of Sylvania, Ohio, with great-grandsons Michael and Steuart and greatgranddaughter Elizabeth; and grandson Larry Scott with greatgranddaughters Emma and Sally Fish.

Son Jon Merton (Donna Kathryn Porter) of Monclova, Ohio, and granddaughter Jennifer Shawn (Michael Nagle) of Swanton, Ohio, with great-grandchildren Jessica, Taylor and Cody; and grandson Ryan Andrew (Kimberly Renee Yoder) of Swanton, Ohio, with great-grandchildren Keilah and Shaun Fish; grandson Joshua Burton (Amanda Cay DeWitt) of Swanton, with great-grandchildren Keely and Mikaela Fish.

Surviving is his brother Glen (Fern) Fish of Lakeland, Fla. Preceding him in death were his sisters, Florence (Roberts) and Lesta (Schroeder Champion), and one brother, Ivan, of Lambertville, Mich.

Services were held on Tuesday, 11 am, at St. John's Christian Church with Reverend Erick Christman and Reverend Adam Just officiating. Interment followed in the Winameg (Aetna) Cemetery between Delta and Lyons, where his parents are interred.

Short Funeral Home in Archbold was in charge of the arrangement.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial to St. John's Christian Church or Gideons International. Online condolence may be emailed to shortfuneral home@rtecexpress.net.