Rudolph "Rudy" Arbanas

Rudolph “Rudy” Joseph Arbanas, of Kalamazoo passed away on August 18th, 2020, at the age of 84 years old. Rudy was born on March 21, 1936 in Calumet, MI. He was the son of Marion and Mary (Vukonich) Arbanas. In 1943, the family moved from the Upper Peninsula and settled in the Mattawan area. Rudy proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1953 until 1956. In 1959, he married Anna Marie Kosty, who precedes him in death. He joined the Iron Workers Union Local 340 in 1966; which became Local 25. Along with being an Iron Worker he also worked for 12 years as a machine repairman for the Upjohn Company. In 1987 he married the love of his life, Betty Lou Powers. His passions in life were many. As a young man he loved camping, hunting, fishing, scuba-diving, traveling, and snowmobiling. In his later years he grew to love collecting and restoring, antique tractors. He was a club member of multiple Southwest Michigan Antique Tractors Associations. He spoke English but could also carry on conversation in Croatian, Spanish, German, and Polish. He and Betty loved to travel, and some may say it was the best 25 years of his life. He spent half the year in Mission, Texas and the other half in Wellston, MI. Rudy will be remembered by his family for being adventurous, social, loving, and very family oriented. Rudy is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty; three children: Todd Arbanas, of Kalamazoo; Tony Arbanas, of Delray Beach, FL; Ken Kosty, of Stevensville; three stepchildren: Dick (Carol) Aukerman, of Pleasant Lake; Carolyn Gibson, of Marcellus; Millard “Guy” Aukerman, of Kalamazoo; nine grandchildren: Bo Arbanas, Chase Arbanas, Dylan Arbanas, Nicholas Arbanas, Tyler Kosty, Derek Kosty, Matthew Kosty, Molly Kosty, and Kylee Kosty; two great grandchildren: Leila and Brewtus Arbanas. He is also survived by his five siblings: Mary Varga, of Detroit; Tom Arbanas, of St. Joseph; Jerry Arbanas, of Buchannan; George (Pat) Breitenbach, of Louisville, KY; Larry (Peggy) Arbanas, of Dewitt; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his first wife: Anna Maria; parents: Marion and Mary Arbanas; one brother: Jack Arbanas; and step-son: Don (Carol) Kosty. Rudy will be buried with military honors on Thursday, September 10th, 2020 at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. The family will be accepting visitors at a celebration of Rudy’s life on Thursday, September 10th from 12:30pm-4pm at the VFW Post 5855, 8845 Sprinkle Road, Portage, MI. While at Rudy’s webpage www.avinkcremation.com please take time to sign the guestbook by lighting a candle and/or sharing a memory. For those of you who wish to make a contribution please feel free to do so to: Hospice of Southwest, MI. The family would like to give a special thanks to friends, neighbors, as well as Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and Absolute Home Care staff. Rudy’s family is being cared for by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002, 269-344-5600.