In the early morning hours of January 13, 2014, Joe Arthurs was welcomed into the presence of the Lord to be reunited with loved ones gone before.
Joe was born the son of Jennie and Wyman Arthurs who lived in the Durston area. They later moved to the Old Dauphin District to the family farm. Joe was educated in the area schools and spent one year in Winnipeg at the Agricultural School. He returned to the farm, but joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to train as a Navigator. While in the Air Force he married Irma Riehl and they were posted to several cities in Canada. After his discharge he returned to farming.
Joe loved his life as a farmer and adapted to many changes in technology over the years. He always maintained a positive attitude towards the weather or the outcomes of his labours. He was also active in many community services such as the School Board, Dauphin Co-operative, and Manitoba Pool Elevator. He provided Leadership in 4-H for fifteen years and served seventeen years on the Dauphin Hospital Board, five of them as Chairman.
Joe was a member of the Dauphin First Baptist Church since 1931 and he served in every role from greeter to a Deacon. He loved his church and the people in it. He became interested in serving the Baptist Denomination and held leadership positions as President of the Baptist Union of Western Canada (now Canadian Baptists of Western Canada), President of the Baptist Federation of Canada, Chairman of the Canadian Baptist Overseas Board, and an Executive member of the Baptist World Alliance. Joe also loved to sing. His beautiful tenor voice was heard at many weddings, funerals and Church gatherings.
After his retirement Joe had many happy days with family and friends. He enjoyed travelling and curling. At the age of 91, he was still volunteering to deliver for Meals on Wheels. Of late he resided at St. Paul’s Home where he lived his days in contentment. He was a talented, generous, loving man who lived out his faith in God in practical ways.
Joe was predeceased by Irma, his wife of sixty-two years; his parents, Jennie and Wyman Arthurs; his sister Irene and her husband Gordon Alley, along with many other close family members.
He is survived by his children and their spouses: Shirley and David Bell, Ken and Maureen Arthurs, Lynn and Wayne Stretch, Jean Arthurs and Dave Fast, Bert and Donna Arthurs, 13 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren as well as sister-in-laws Pat Wotton, Adeline Riehl and Yvonne Riehl and brother-in-law Durwin Riehl as well as cousins, nephews and nieces. He was a guiding presence to all of us and we shall miss him dearly.
We give thanks for Joe’s life, his humble spirit of service and his immeasurable contribution to God’s work in Western Canada. We ask that you remember his family in prayer. Please join the family to honor Joe at a service to be held in the Dauphin First Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on January 25, 2014. Internment is in the Riverside Cemetery.
