Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/7/2004

Joseph W. Arata

Feb. 17, 1909 -- Jan. 3, 2004

Joseph Warren Arata, 94, was born on Feb. 17, 1909, in Mishawaka, Ind., to Mary Geneva "Jenny" (Schroeder) Arata and Alphonsus Arata. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Lois Jean Arata; three grandchildren, John Eric Hostetler, Michele Arata Essington and Stephen Gerard Stuart; two brothers, Edward and Louis Arata; and by a sister, Catherine "Kitty" Violi. On May 30, 1934, in St. Matthew Catholic Church in South Bend, Ind., he married Rose Eugenia Greenwood, who preceded him in death on July 31, 2003.

He is survived by six daughters, Rose Marie (Ronald) Stuart of Mishawaka, Marianne Arata of South Bend, Janet (Donald) De Cocker of Mishawaka, Kathleen (Lawrence) Hostetler of Mishawaka, Ruthanne "Dolly" Donahue of Osceola, Ind., and Frances Sandefur of Cassopolis, Mich.; one son, Timothy (Robyne) Arata of Venice, Fla.; two sisters, Adelaide (Richard) Caleal of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Agnes Laux of Dayton, Ohio; three brothers, Dr. Lucian Arata of Shelbyville, Ind., and Dr. Justin "Barney" Arata and Dr. James Arata of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one sister-in-law, Wilma (Edward) Arata of Mishawaka, and one brother-in-law, Frank (Catherine) Violi of Mishawaka; and by 50 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Joe retired from the Wheelabrator-Frye Corporation in 1972 as a mechanical engineer after many years of service. He graduated from Purdue University in 1932. Joseph "Scrappy" Arata was the last surviving member of the undefeated and untied 1926 Mishawaka High School football team.

Joe was a man of many interests. He planted and grafted English and black walnut trees, kept bees and sold honey. He planted a large apple orchard, owned a cider mill and pressed cider, which he sold for many years. He planted a large garden every year. Near and dear to his heart was his beloved Whit Pond property.

Joseph was a charter member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and served many years on the parish council. He was proud of his family, and one of his greatest joys was watching the young ones.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 7, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka, where there will be a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Richard Hire officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorial contributions may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544.