Robert Zon Arendt, 78, of Ottumwa, died Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born April 3, 1946, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Willis and Zora Ruth Miars Arendt. Bob graduated from Hedrick High School with the class of 1964. Following high school Bob attended vocational school in Omaha and learned to work on appliances. Bob worked for a few years at Martinsburg Television and Appliance. In 1978, he went to work as a “Petroleum Jobber” delivering fuel and oil to Hedrick and the surrounding area. He drove for various companies over the years. He retired from Elliot Oil in 2008. In retirement he worked for Nutrien pulling anhydrous tanks to farmers in the spring. He was a 30 plus year member of the Hedrick Volunteer Fire Department and served many years as chief. On October 20, 1997, Bob chose the path of sobriety for the rest of his life. He worked on his recovery daily and spent hours volunteering as a Growth Group leader and facilitator, was active at the Camel Club in Ottumwa, and A.A. He was committed to his sobriety and was always willing to help someone struggling with addiction.
On August 20, 1963, he was united in marriage to Betty Rae Scott at Highland Center. To this union five children were born, Doug, Tina, Julie, and twins John Robert and Robert John. Betty and Robert divorced after many years of marriage. On December 31, 1999, he was married to Sandra Van Weelden in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Bob was an avid race fan and enjoyed gardening, fishing and squirrel hunting out of his kitchen window.
Robert’s family includes his wife, Sandra Arendt of Ottumwa, five children, Doug (Dee) Arendt of Chapin, Illinois, Tina (Paul) Mosbey, Julie (Charles) Carlberg, Bob (Sharon) Arendt and John (Angie) Arendt all of Hedrick; two step children, Anthony (Jen) VerMeer and Gayley VerMeer all of Pella; Ten grandchildren, Danielle (Eric) Schnake, David Arendt, Darcy (Jesse) Holtsclaw, Dean Arendt, Ashley (Saxon) Van Buren, Zachary (Amy) Mosbey, Josh (Jessica) Arendt, Chelsea (Max Spalla) Arendt, Nathan (Jordan) Arendt, and Nikole (Dylan Kloski) Arendt; Step grandchildren Kelsey(Kirk) Salnave Toni VerMeer Lisa Brummel, Lindsay Sinnott, Wells and George Salnave, Ava Sinnott, Hillary Swank, Dylan Brummel and CJ Smith, Conrad & Jessica Cunningham, Lisa Hill, and Kelsey VerMeer and Tony VerMeer. Twenty great grandchildren, Maggie, James and Willis Schnake, Isabelle Arendt, Decklyn, Deakon Holtsclaw, Addison, twins Ian and Lane Van Buren, Donna, Zeke Mosbey, Huxley, Hayes and Haiden Arendt, Axl Spalla, Norah, twins Brooks and Weston Arendt, and Torrey and Lizzey Kloski; Twenty-six step great grandchildren a niece, Susan Haskell, and a nephew Chris Hill.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Warren Arendt; and a sister, Willa Mathews
Visitation will begin Monday, August 26, 2024, after 12 noon in the Fremont Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Monday evening to greet friends and relatives. As was Bob’s wish his body will be cremated following the visitation. A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Bob and Sandy’s home. A private family graveside service will be held at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa. Memorials may be made to Camel Club of Ottumwa for recovering alcoholics.
