Ervin Arnzen Sr.

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Ervin Joseph Arnzen Sr., 77, of Leopold died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 19, 1926, at Laflin, Mo., son of August William and Anna Maria Magdelena Scharenborg Arnzen. He and Dorothy Louise Holzum were married March 31, 1951, at St. John Catholic Church.

Mr. Arnzen earned a GED diploma, and was a 1953 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Agriculture. He had been a teacher, worked in sales, and was a retired farmer. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, and VFW Post 5900 at Marble Hill, Mo.

He served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II, and was awarded two Bronze Stars. He participated in the liberation of Achenbach and Buchenwald Concentration Camp, and was a guard at the Nuremberg Trials.

Survivors include his wife; four sons and daughters-in-law, Ervin J. and Lana Arnzen Jr. of Scott City, Douglas and Kim Arnzen of Ballwin, Mo., Leo and Tammy Arnzen and Albert and Cindy Arnzen of Leopold; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Drew Blanchard of Manchester, Mo., Dorothy and Rick Green of Crump, Helen and Steve Thomas of state of Florida; a brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Loretta Arnzen of Jackson; and 23 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Arnzen; a granddaughter, Jessica Arnzen; twin brother, Ernest Arnzen, and another brother, Alfred Arnzen.

Friends may call at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Mo., from 3 to 9 p.m. today. Parish prayers will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Church, with the Rev. John Harth officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, with graveside rites by Military Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bollinger County Library Building Fund.