Marquette––Arden Wilbert Contois, 91, formerly of 436 Blemhuber Avenue, Marquette, entered eternal life Tuesday morning, October 2, 2007, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where he had resided since August 31.
Born January 29, 1916, in Sands, a son of Wilbert and Arta (Comstock) Contois, Arden was a lifelong Marquette resident. On September 7, 1938, he married Agnes L. Brisson, and together the couple set about establishing their home and raising a family. Arden served in the US Army, during World War II, and was honorably discharged in December 1945. Returning home, he was employed for over 30 years at the Marquette Branch Prison as a corrections officer, retiring in 1979. During this time, he and Agnes owned and operated a party store, Contois’ Confectionary, in South Marquette for several years. Arden was a member of St. Peter Cathedral, Richard Jopling Post #44 of the American Legion, and a member of the former Moose Lodge. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, attending horse pulling contests, and going to the family camp on Bertrand Lake.
Survivors include his children, Lynn (Barbara) Contois of Green Bay, WI, Janet (Al) Demarest of Gwinn, Dennis (Geri) Contois of Marquette, Kathy (Larry) Willey of Iron Mountain, and Kim (Doug) Scherrer of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Bryan Contois of Green Bay, WI, Sherry (Kevin) Weiderholt of Winneconne, WI, Linda Contois of Madison, WI, Tom (Renee) Sclesky of Detroit, Dan (Jeanni) Sclesky of Green Bay, WI, Tina (Greg) Hakkola of Eben Junction, Traci (Craig) Brennan of Marquette, Candia (John) Mahalic of Marquette, Shawn (Cassie) Contois of Marquette, Kevin Willey of Pulaski, WI, Lorrie (Colin) Jacobetti of Pulaski, WI, Tara (Maurie) Dennis of Traverse City, and Jared Halvorsen of Chicago, IL; 21 great-grandchildren; an expected great-grandson; 3 great great-grandchildren; his sister, Doris Longtine of Marquette; brothers, Richard (Jean) Contois and Lee (Dorothy) Contois both of Marquette; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Arden was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, on June 14, 2004; a grandson, Kenneth Contois; sisters, Risper Gentz, Gladys Dionne, and Ethel St. Onge; a brother, Russell Contois; and an infant brother, Rueben Contois.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Friday, October 5, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Peter Cathedral at 1:30 pm Friday afternoon with Rev. Msgr. Louis Cappo, rector, as celebrant. Escorts will be his granddaughters, Sherry Weiderholt, Linda Contois, Tina Hakkola, Traci Brennan, Candia Mahalic, Lorrie Jacobetti, and Tara Dennis. A reception for family and friends will be held in Cathedral Hall. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Patient Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.