July 4, 1941 - January 2, 2026
Richard Gene Arjes
July 4, 1941 – January 2, 2026
Richard was born in Compton, IL in 1941. Dick, as his family called him, was the youngest of 11 children. He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1959. Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduation and headed to Camp Pendleton in California. He came back to Paw Paw, IL and married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Hunter on October 28, 1962. They returned to California where they stayed until Richard was honorably discharged. Richard and Carolyn lived in Rochelle, IL and raised their family there until 1978 when they moved to Tempe, AZ.
Richard is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Carolyn (2024), his parents Jake Arjes (1966), and Gladys Arjes (1974), siblings, Bernice (Jim) Cardot (2013), Helen (Wally) Davis (2020), Allie (Alice) Arjes (1975), Jake (Peggy) Arjes, Jr. (1989), Robert (Arlene) Arjes (1961), Betty (Webb) Cardot (2016), Donald (Judy) Arjes (1985), Wilma Pat (Kelly) Wyatt (2018), Lindy Lou Arjes (1937) and Jerry Arjes (2003).
He is survived by his children Beth Arjes Parker of Tempe, AZ and Todd (Kelley) Arjes of Gilbert, AZ. His grandchildren Jared and Zachary Parker of Tempe, AZ; Trevor Arjes of Oak Ridge, TN and Kylee Arjes of Mesa, AZ, and step grandchildren Mackenzie and Molly Rhodes of Chandler, AZ. Great grandchildren, Lilly Mae Arjes of Gilbert, AZ and Trait Arjes of Oak Ridge, TN. Sisters-in-law Barbara (Rich) Huls of Queen Creek, AZ and Becki (Bill) Westbrook of Sandwich, IL. Richard has countless nieces and nephews in Illinois and Arizona. Extended family includes Lupita (David) Lyon and their children Sofia (Jacob) Skaalen, Joshua and Daniel Lyon.
If you knew Richard or talked to him for any length of time, you would know the importance of his faith. A true servant of God he felt his purpose on this earth was to make sure everyone knew about the salvation of Jesus. He will be remembered for how he loved his kids, and for his devotion to his wife and the selfless role of caretaker as her health declined. He put others first in big ways and small, including pulling a chair out for someone, offering to drive anyone anywhere, and praying for those he knew and did not know. He made friends easily and encouraged others.
The Arjes’ attended First Baptist Church in Rochelle where they served as Youth Leaders. He was an usher at Grace Community Church in Tempe, AZ for 30 years. He was active in the Men’s Ministry, Momentum Sunday School Class and attended Summit Senior Adult Class at Grace when his health permitted. In recent years he attended Arizona Community Church and appreciated the online services. Both he and Carolyn enjoyed watching their kids sing in the choir and you would find them coming early to watch rehearsals.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 10:00 am -11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 810 Woolf Ct., Rochelle, IL 61068. A funeral service will immediately follow at the church at 11:00 am. Richard will be laid to rest in Melugin Grove Cemetery in Compton, IL. The family invites everyone to enjoy a luncheon to share memories and stories of Richard following the graveside service. The lunch will be provided at First Baptist Church. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.
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It is with sincere sympathy that we extend our condolences for your loss. We pray that you will find healing, comfort and peace through our Lord Jesus Christ who loves you beyond measure!
Death is something we will all encounter and if we don’t make a decision now before we die, about giving our lives to Him, we will face serious consequences for rejecting Him and His love for us, after our departure from this world. Jesus paid a tremendous price for us by taking the wrath of God on the cross, on our behalf, for our sins and rebellion against God. God, being our Creator, sent Jesus, His Son, to lay down His life for us, so we would never have to face God’s eternal judgement once we leave this earth. Death is not the end for any of us. We will all live on, but where is determined by whether or not we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ who is the only way to God the Father and to our salvation from sin, death and destruction. Jesus is only a prayer away. A simple prayer like “Lord Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son who He sent to pay the price for my mistakes, sins, and rebellion against God. Please forgive me for all I have done in rebelling against you, Lord.
I now give and surrender my life to you and ask that you be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from God’s eternal judgement and allowing me to now be a part of you and your royal family forever. In your name, I pray. Amen. ” God bless you and keep you always during this hour of your grief. I pray you will realize that you’re never alone when you’re in Christ Jesus. His Word guarantees us He will never leave or forsake us.