Arnell Somlar

Mr. Arnell Somlar passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 at McLaren Central Michigan Hospital in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Age 81 years. He was born November 18, 1933 in Marianna, Arkansas to Jerry Somlar and Jeneva McAway Somlar. Mr. Somlar was a resident of Helena Arkansas, but had been in Michigan for six months due to illness.
Mr. Somlar was a member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Helena, Arkansas, Rev. Leroy Harper, Pastor. He retired from McKnight Veneer and Plywood of West Helena, Arkansas after 43 years of service. He enjoyed baseball games and was an avid New York Yankees fan. Arnell played funny cards (pitty pat) and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a kind, loving and giving person who never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with anyone.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Earline Somlar of Midland, Michigan (formerly of Helena, Arkansas); five daughters and three sons, Victoria (Floyd) Smith of Rowlett, Texas, Ralph Terry Somlar (Irma Ocasio), Janice (Stephen) Black and Carolyn (Carl) Davis all of Bloomington, Illinois; Arnell Somlar Jr. (Marie Wilson) of Bay City, Michigan, DeLois Somlar of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Earnestine (Leroy) Barnes of Midland, Michigan, and Pervis Pendleton (Lisa Martin) of Scottsdale, Arizona; twenty-one grandchildren, Megan, Mallory (Roger), Ryan (LaToya), Terry, Terrell, Sparkle (Benjamin), David Jr., Deja, Carl Jr., Jalen, Arnell Jr. III, DeQuavis, Yasheka, Shavon, Markeith, Leroy Jr. (Erica), Justin, Dillon, Brady, Natasha and Darren; eight great-grandchildren, Aurora, Cameron, Christopher, Clayton C.J., Janelle, Joseph, Naomi and Rayshawn; ten nieces, Virginia and Annette Williams, Helen Guynn, Ruthie Amos, Anita Dickerson, Rae Evelyn, Brenda, Etta Mary, Emma Jean, Vera and Vernetta Thompson ; five nephews, James, Parrish and Leemon Thompson, Heber Jr. and Victor Hogan; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Marie Thompson, Yvonne Ekpenyong, Walter Lofton, James Amos and T.T. and Sadie Williams. Mr. Somlar will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Arnell was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jerry Somlar and Jeneva M. Somlar, six sisters, Carrie Thompson, Lorean Williams, Jeneva Somlar, Millie Riggs, Juanita Hogan and Pearl Guynn, three brothers, Jerry, Sandy and Wash Somlar, one niece, Dorothy Lofton, three nephews, E. W. Thompson, Sandy Williams, Jr. and W. M. Guynn; mother and father-in-law, Joe and Maxine English and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Jean Davis and Ollie Mae Ross, his special friends, Shepard Cutout (Ersaline) Bryant.
The family would like to express special thanks to Earl and Tella Shannon, Leroy and Erica Barnes, Herbert Flournoy, Pastors Eugene and Melissa Burton and son, Huedell and Vivian McKinney, Ernestine Jasper and everyone who offered kind words, condolences and support.
Visitation: Friday, January 23, 2015 - 9:00 a.m. until time of service
Family Hour: 10:00 a.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826
Funeral Service: Friday, January 23, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826
Officiating: Pastor Eugene Burton
Christ Image Community Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery