Arthur Everett Calven

Arthur Everett Calven, born September 16, 1914, in Cedarville, Michigan, passed away February 18, 2015 at 100 years old. Mourning his passing are sons, Roger of Maryland and Gary of Cedarville; grandchildren, Christopher of Troy, Michigan, Adam of Kansas, Anna of Kansas, Mary of Maryland and Sara of Texas; great grandchildren, Conner and Colton of Troy; and sister, Nancy LaFrate of Florida. Preceding him in passing into the Lord’s arms were his wife, Evelyn, with whom he was married for 75 years; son, William “Nick”; mother, Rosa (Johnson) from Aland Islands; father, Charles Calven of California; and eight brothers and sisters. Art’s family of origin moved to Detroit about the beginning of World War I. As a youth, he picked cucumbers on farms to help his family, and in his teens became part of the Civilian Conservation Corps planting thousands of trees in Michigan. He graduated from high school and became experienced to be a Licensed Master Plumber. Arthur served in the Pacific in WWII and later became a member of the local VFW. Art returned with his young family to Cedarville. He built the first store dedicated to hardware in town in 1949 while continuing his plumbing services. Art helped cut trees for the rafters, plumbed the building, and borrowed money for the first merchandise. He moved the business to a larger building in 1959 and eventually changed it to Cedarville ACE Hardware to better fulfill his commitment to servicing the area, community and people he loved with the same passion he placed in loving Jesus. One of his customers said of him, “That guy has been in business for over 66 years and doesn’t have one enemy in the whole town, that’s unusual.” Art joined the Masons when he was 21 years old and was looking forward to receiving an 80 year membership pin next year. Earlier he was a church steward for the Bethel Lutheran Church. He became known as “Daddy Art” to many of the younger persons who worked with him over the years as he lovingly challenged them to grow, learn, and do their best. He was always patient, listened to people, and took great pleasure just in talking with people. He thought the Les Cheneaux Islands were the best place in the world. Art will never be a celebrity, a successful, wealthy, or important person in any quick judgment, but he was a humanitarian; a good father, husband, neighbor, and above all, a good person that is one type of people the world needs. Art focused on solutions to problems that would create a good world for the young in these troubled times. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 26, from 11:30 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 271 N. M-129 in Cedarville. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 27 at 11:00 A.M. at Bethel Lutheran Church. There will also be visitation at the church on Friday beginning at 10:00 A.M. Pastor Breanna Johnson will conduct the funeral service. Burial will be in the spring in Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville.

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Arthur Everett Calven

September 16, 1914 - February 18, 2015