John Arvai Sr., 91, passed away very peacefully at home in Zeigler surrounded by his loving family and went to be with his Heavenly Father at 7:13 a.m., on Thursday January 8, 2015. John was born in Benton, IL to George and Josephine (Mack) Arvai on November 29, 1923. He graduated from West Frankfort High School in 1941. He then went to work for The Civilian Conservation Corps which at that time he helped build Giant City Lodge and Recreation Park. He later joined The United States Marine Corps. For much of World War II, he was stationed in the South Pacific, mainly in the Marshall Islands. As a Tech Sergeant, he worked in a variety of capacities as part of the staff of a Major General who commanded the 4th Marine Corps Aircraft Wing. After proudly serving his country, he returned to Southern Illinois and found the love of his life. He loved telling the story about the moment he met her that "It was love at first sight". He was united in holy matrimony with Ann Nitkulinec on September 17, 1949 at the First Baptist Church in West Frankfort. John and Ann made Zeigler their home and started a family. He made a career as a coal miner working for several different mines but primarily at Old Ben #21. He was awarded A Certificate of Honor by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association for working 42 years without a lost time injury in the mining industry. During his career he was union proud and strong and served as the Union Secretary for The United Mine Workers of America Local #1124. He retired in 1986 as a Mine Examiner. Mr. Arvai was a Godly Man that devoted his life to his family and his Lord and Savior. He was a lifelong member of The First Baptist Church in Zeigler where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher. He is fondly remembered by many for awarding silver dollars to those who learned to recite the books of the bible. He has read the bible through several times each year and lost count after reading it over 50 times. He read his bible daily and lived by the words every day of his life. He was proud to have led so many people to Christ. He also recently enjoyed worshiping at The Church of the Nazarene in Royalton. John always had a warm smile and never met a stranger. He had many hobbies that he has passed down to his children and grand-children; one of which was having one of the most beautiful gardens in town and sharing his produce with others. He loved to hunt mainly squirrels, quail and rabbits, but his true passion was fishing for bluegill at Reelfoot Lake, TN and many other places, but his favorite spot was Tall Tree Lake.John was always active in his children, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's lives. He attended many of their sporting events and would always proudly cheer them on. His love for children included all of the neighborhood kids. He would pack his station wagon full and treat them to Polar Whip after taking them to swim at Crab Orchard Lake. He also served many years on The Zeigler-Royalton School Board. After his retirement he and his wife Ann volunteered at the Marion VA Hospital for 15 years resulting in the Shawnee Detachment of The Marine Corps League awarding him the title "Marine of the Year". John would attend the yearly ball with Ann, John Jr and grandson Jeremy all who served in The Marine Corps. John shared 64 years of a loving marriage to his wife Ann. They loved to dance and do everything together. You rarely saw them apart. She preceded him in death on September 23, 2013 and he has lived with a broken heart since and has eagerly a waited this day to join her. He was also preceded in death by his Parents; a sister and brother in law, Ann and Jerry Meldrum; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Mary and Ted Phillips; Helen and Rollie Phillips; a brother-in-law, George Nitkulinec; two nephews Jeffrey Phillips and Kenneth Meldrum; a great grandniece Avery Stetson and his beloved dog Lexie. John leaves a long legacy of a large loving family that will be forever grateful to have had this Man as our Patriarch and role model. Those surviving him are his children and their spouses, two Sons, John Jr and Susie Arvai of Zeigler; Don and Cindy Arvai of Royalton, four daughters, Peggy and Anthony Rinella of Marion; Sharon and Al Martin of DuQuoin, Rebekah and Heath Steinmetz of Energy and Merry Jo Arvai of Royalton; grandchildren and spouses, Jeremy and Melissa Arvai, Lindsay Arvai, Casie and Billy Keef, Kyle Rinella, Melissa Mitroka, Tony and Haley Rinella, Ashley and John Chamness Jr, Whitney and JJ Veach, Dylan Arvai, Luke Steinmetz, Zebulon and Erynn Martin and Joel and Simon Martin; great grandchildren, Tristen Veach, Logan Giles, Ashley Jo Arvai, Riley Giles, Austin Arvai, Allyson Giles, Jaxon Veach, Madyson Lipe, Corbin Brimm, Cole Lipe, Adi and Lola Martin, Rayder and Talula Chamness, Ridge Mitroka, Alizah Jo Veach and Brinley Ann Rinella and many other loving nieces and nephews along with their spouses, children and grandchildren who adored him and called him "Uncle Johnnie". John was an avid animal lover and always had pets, his last companion was his beloved cat Pegalou and she provided him much comfort and snuggling beside him at night since the passing of Ann. John was a huge sports fan and he loved to watch football and baseball. As a lifelong Cub Fan, he was still waiting for it to be their year! (In recent times he could be seen rooting for the Cardinals) A celebration of John Arvai’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the First Baptist Church, 106 S. Pine Street in Zeigler conducted by his family. The family welcomes anyone that would like to speak or share in a memory to contribute to the service. service. Burial with military hours courtesy of the Zeigler and Orient American Legions, the West Frankfort VFW and the Scott Air Force Base, Marine Corps Flag Honors Team will be at the Zeigler Cemetery. Visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Arvai are suggested to the Zeigler Fire Department, 301 Church St., Zeigler, IL 62999 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Envelopes will be available at the church. Vantrease Funeral Homes, Inc. of Zeigler and Royalton is entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, share a life story or sign the memorial guest register visit www.vantreasefuneralhome.com