Obituary for Thomas Daniel "Tom" Arndt
Thomas D. Arndt led a life devoted to his family, his community, and to his country. He passed away March 12,2022 at the age of 90. Throughout his lifetime, Tom was selflessly committed to helping the people around him and was a shining example of generosity. He made countless memories throughout several generations of his friends and family. A friend to everyone and a mentor to many, he was a fun guy and people loved to be in his company.
Tom was born on December 6, 1931, in Antigo WI. He was a graduate of Antigo High School and attended Northland College before moving to Milwaukee where he worked for Milwaukee Road as a blacksmith and a switchman.
He married Arlyn Grimm on May 3,1952, at First Congregational Church in Antigo and in 1954 they moved to Oshkosh where they owned and operated A & A Window Cleaners for 39 years. Tom served his country as a part of the 32nd Red-Arrow division of the National Guard for 21 years and rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant. In the late 1960’s, Tom retired from the National Guard and obtained his private pilot license which allowed him to enjoy many flying experiences with his friends and family.
Following retirement, Tom and Arlyn moved to Lily, WI and built their home on their 80-acre property where everyone was welcomed and where they enjoyed hosting for generations of gatherings with family and friends.
Tom made 17 trips to Alaska where he hunted grizzly bears, moose, duck, geese and caught many salmon and halibut with his son Randy. Tom even got to try his hand at Snow Machining in the mountains.
During his residency in Lily, Wisconsin, Tom was a proud member of the Town of Langlade Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department for 25 years. Tom dedicated countless volunteer hours to the team.
Tom served as a deacon at Faith United Church of Christ in Antigo. He was also a member of Trout Unlimited and the Lily Snowbird Club for over 40 years, where he groomed and maintained some of the best snowmobile trails in the state. Tom proudly served with the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post 3 Antigo acting as Sergeant at arms for their honor guard.
He moved back to Oshkosh in 2017 where he was a member of the First Congregational Church. He was a proud member of the American Legion Cook Fuller Post 70 Oshkosh.
Tom enjoyed hunting and fishing and everything outdoors. He shared his knowledge and love for nature, wildlife, and forestry with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynnel Arndt of Oshkosh and Andrea (Edward) Schneider of Oshkosh; son, Randall (Esther) Arndt of Wasilla, Alaska; 8 grandchildren; Andy (Leslie) Buck, Sarah Arndt, Adam Sheveland, Bethany (Rob) Kobiske, Chad Sheveland, Joel Schneider, Adam (Tiffany) Schneider, Luke Schneider. 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Peg (Ron) Schroepfer Wierzba, Pat (Dick) Nonnenmacher, Mary Lou (Dick) White, all of Antigo; and brother, Fred (Pat) Seggelink of Medford, Oregon.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 52 years Arlyn R. (Grimm) Arndt, his parents, Fred and Marie (Winters) Arndt, sisters, Alice Seggelink, Margaret Peters, Mary Seggelink, and Karen Humphry, as well as his brother, Lee Seggelink.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 on March 31, 2022 at First Congregational Church Oshkosh. Visitation will start at 1:30 and go to the time of service. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Graveside service and Burial will take place at the Lily Cemetery on July 8,2022 at 11:00 with lunch at North Woods Inn Diner, Pickerel following the service.
Tom's family would like to thank the staff of Arbor View Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the kindness and compassion they extended to Tom and his family.
Tom was born on December 6, 1931, in Antigo WI. He was a graduate of Antigo High School and attended Northland College before moving to Milwaukee where he worked for Milwaukee Road as a blacksmith and a switchman.
He married Arlyn Grimm on May 3,1952, at First Congregational Church in Antigo and in 1954 they moved to Oshkosh where they owned and operated A & A Window Cleaners for 39 years. Tom served his country as a part of the 32nd Red-Arrow division of the National Guard for 21 years and rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant. In the late 1960’s, Tom retired from the National Guard and obtained his private pilot license which allowed him to enjoy many flying experiences with his friends and family.
Following retirement, Tom and Arlyn moved to Lily, WI and built their home on their 80-acre property where everyone was welcomed and where they enjoyed hosting for generations of gatherings with family and friends.
Tom made 17 trips to Alaska where he hunted grizzly bears, moose, duck, geese and caught many salmon and halibut with his son Randy. Tom even got to try his hand at Snow Machining in the mountains.
During his residency in Lily, Wisconsin, Tom was a proud member of the Town of Langlade Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department for 25 years. Tom dedicated countless volunteer hours to the team.
Tom served as a deacon at Faith United Church of Christ in Antigo. He was also a member of Trout Unlimited and the Lily Snowbird Club for over 40 years, where he groomed and maintained some of the best snowmobile trails in the state. Tom proudly served with the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post 3 Antigo acting as Sergeant at arms for their honor guard.
He moved back to Oshkosh in 2017 where he was a member of the First Congregational Church. He was a proud member of the American Legion Cook Fuller Post 70 Oshkosh.
Tom enjoyed hunting and fishing and everything outdoors. He shared his knowledge and love for nature, wildlife, and forestry with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynnel Arndt of Oshkosh and Andrea (Edward) Schneider of Oshkosh; son, Randall (Esther) Arndt of Wasilla, Alaska; 8 grandchildren; Andy (Leslie) Buck, Sarah Arndt, Adam Sheveland, Bethany (Rob) Kobiske, Chad Sheveland, Joel Schneider, Adam (Tiffany) Schneider, Luke Schneider. 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Peg (Ron) Schroepfer Wierzba, Pat (Dick) Nonnenmacher, Mary Lou (Dick) White, all of Antigo; and brother, Fred (Pat) Seggelink of Medford, Oregon.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 52 years Arlyn R. (Grimm) Arndt, his parents, Fred and Marie (Winters) Arndt, sisters, Alice Seggelink, Margaret Peters, Mary Seggelink, and Karen Humphry, as well as his brother, Lee Seggelink.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 on March 31, 2022 at First Congregational Church Oshkosh. Visitation will start at 1:30 and go to the time of service. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Graveside service and Burial will take place at the Lily Cemetery on July 8,2022 at 11:00 with lunch at North Woods Inn Diner, Pickerel following the service.
Tom's family would like to thank the staff of Arbor View Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the kindness and compassion they extended to Tom and his family.