Pat Arseneau, 72

Patrick Edward Arseneau, age 72, of Sturgis, went to join his Lord and Savior Sunday morning, April 11, 2021 at his home.
Pat was born on December 9, 1948, in Elkhart to Everett Arseneau and Ruth (McDermott) Arseneau. They brought him up on a farm in Kessington, MI, a bold and curious younger sibling to Paul, Joanne, Johnny and Jim. A childhood spent raising dairy cows, climbing silos, and jumping from tractors cultivated an athletic, adventurous teenager. Pat’s high school years in Constantine were full of athletic feats in wrestling and football, and many stories of fun-loving mischief with friends.
While working through a degree in education at WMU, Pat spent his summers working in Florida, where he met Elizabeth Long on a blind date. A great complement to each other, they married in 1974, and built a family. They have three children, Carie, Seth, and Annmarie, who treasure their father immensely. His steadfast love and forgiving nature echoed that of his Heavenly Father, as Pat guided, nurtured, and loved them with his whole heart.
Pat’s own children weren’t the only recipients of his caring nature, as he impacted the lives of many students and colleagues during his 32-year teaching career. He taught with humor and compassion, leaving a lasting impression through the creatures he brought into the classroom and his ability to identify birds by their songs.
His love for the natural world was evident in Pat’s woodworking, and he was known throughout the community for his meticulous craftsmanship and willingness to help with anything ‘wood’. The years after retirement produced countless bowls, jewelry boxes and furniture which Pat credited to God, who he said was ‘working through him to reflect the beauty of His Creation’.
Pat’s adoring grandchildren, Nolan, Eleanor, Anthony, Luella, Dylan and Flynn, connected to their Grampy from the first moment he met them. He not only passed on his love for birding, camping, and puns, but a richer understanding of goodness, of togetherness, and of loving well. He was a caring father-in-law to Sang jin Park and Dylan Pierce, providing a vivid model of a generous and encouraging father and spouse.
Pat lived his life with an astounding faith…a faith that even a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer couldn’t bend. His love for the Lord radiated outward, with every joyful smile and kind hug, which he offered often and freely. Hours in his tree stand were a meditation, communing with the Father. Every motorcycle ride with Liz, an exultation of the gift of life. An incredible example of selflessness, he was recognized as a good and honest man of integrity, because of the Love of God inextricably woven through his soul.
A memorial celebration will take place at a later date to be announced.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Pat’s memory consider the Patrick Arseneau Memorial Fund (Sponsored by the Open Door Gallery), c/o: Sturgis Area Foundation, 301 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Youth for Christ/Campus Life, P.O. Box 382, Sturgis, MI 49091.
The Obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.