Robert L. Arner

Robert L. Arner, 85, of West End and Canton, Ohio, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Aultman Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Chapel in the Pines, with the Rev. Don Welch officiating.
He was born Aug. 27, 1925, in Canton to Alfred and Blanche Miner Arner. He left high school early to join the U. S. Navy Seabees during World War II. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor and Midway Island preparing for an invasion of Japan when the war came to a close.
Following the war, he received his high school diploma and his pilot’s license on the G.I. Bill at Noble Field and then worked at the airport giving flight lessons and doing bookwork. He continued to fly as pilot in command through 2010, and was a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing professional and safe flight for more than 50 years.
Bob was the former owner of Sun State Plastics and a partner in PAARLO Plastics in North Canton, and Kenco Plastics in Owensboro, Ky. He was inducted into the Plastic Pioneers in 1987.
He was a past member and board member of Arrowhead Country Club, and member of Prestwick Country Club and Seven Lakes Country Club.
In addition to his great love for flying, Bob was a fan of football, NASCAR, golf and hunting, and also trained dogs for obedience and served as president of the Canton all-breed club.
Bob was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church in Canton and the Chapel in the Pines in West End. He was a passionate family man.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris Jean Arner; daughter, Holly A. Rabel, of Macon, Ga.; son, David L. Arner and Rebecca Paterson, of Boca Grande, Fla.; grandchildren, Kristoffer (Heather) Rabel, of Montgomery, Texas, Emily Arner, of Charlotte, Brad (Camille) Arner, of London, England; great-grandchildren, Adelyn and Piper Rabel; and close extended family, the DeWeeses, Rick, Johnna, Heather, Alyssa, Kyle and Luke. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Greg Rabel, who died May 26, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chapel in the Pines, 2125 Seven Lakes South, West End, NC 27376.