Anthony Arico

Anthony “Tony” Arico, born Sept. 22, 1918 in Litchfield, Ill., went to Jesus on Monday, July 2, 2017, at Moore-Pike Nursing Home, where he had been a resident since June 2015.

Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hilde (Stepanek); brothers, Peter and Joseph; sisters, Rose Erxleben and Stella Massinelli; and granddaughter, Jane Arico.

He is survived by four sons: Jim and wife, Karen, of Bowling Green; Frank and husband, Mark, of Flint, Mich.; Alan and wife, Sue, of Naperville, Ill.; and Gary and wife, Gisela of Chatsworth, Calif. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Staci Adam of Bowling Green, Wendi Lord and husband, Michael of Colorado Springs, Colo., Adam Arico of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Alan Arico, Jr., and wife, Nathalia of Plymouth, Mich., Anthony Arico, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Adam Arico, Cincinnati, Ohio; He also leaves seven great-grandchildren, Lauren Ingram and husband, Ryne, Bowling Green; Ariel Pitzer and husband, Amos, Eolia; Matthew Adam, Bowling Green; Olivia and Hailey Arico, Plymouth, Mich.; and three great-great-grandchildren, Henley and Heidi Pitzer, Eolia; and Charlotte Ingram, Bowling Green. Surviving is one sister, Ann Heady of O’Fallon.

Tony was an army veteran, having served during World War II in Europe and North Africa, and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During his early life, Tony was a restaurant owner/operator in Staunton, Ill., and then for many years was a typesetter for the Post-Dispatch in St. Louis. Tony always brought smiles and laughter to those around him with his quick wit and disarming smile.

Tony enjoyed family, gardening, dancing, music, and traveling. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed discussing politics and current events. In his later years, he enjoyed guest ministers who preached about Jesus and other activities provided by Moore-Pike Nursing Home.

Funeral arrangements are private. Memorials made be given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.