Arlie Clements Soards was born on July 28, 1914 in Tompkinsville, KY, to Henry and Molly (Brooks) Soards and passed away in Urbana, IL on November 13, 2008. Arlie was a resident of Tuscola for over 70 years. He married Edith Wells on December 7, 1937 in Crawfordsville, IN. They celebrated 51 years of marriage shortly before she passed away on December 29, 1988. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Arthur and Hascal, his sister, Lora and his oldest son, Arlie, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 P.M., Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL, with the Rev. Scott Zorn officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery, Tuscola, IL.

He is survived by his son, Ronald (Juanita) Soards, Marion, IN and daughters, Arline Soards, Torrance, CA and Barbara (Robert) Szanter, Porter Ranch, CA. Grandchildren, Kim (John) Pacetti, Naples, FL, Denise (Anthony) Combs, Marion, IN, Dennis (Fonda) Soards, Roanoke, IN and Ashley, Stephanie and Kathryn Szanter, Porter Ranch, CA. Great Grandchildren, John, David and Matthew Pacetti, Naples, FL, Michael and Jeffery Combs, Marion, IN, Dustin Soards, USAF, Minot, ND, and Mallory and Ian Soards, Roanoke, IN. Great-Great Grandsons, Chase Combs, Marion, IN and Hayden Soards, Roanoke, IN.

Arlie did farm work for the Lester Smith family during the early years of his married life. Switching to construction work, he spent 30 years working as a cement mason for the Shoemaker Construction Company in the Champaign-Urbana area. He helped build the Assembly Hall and many dorm and classroom buildings on the University of Illinois campus. He "retired" in the late 1970s to work as the caretaker of the Tuscola Cemetery for the next 17 years. He was a member and a deacon of The First Christian Church of Tuscola for over 60 years.

We have many friends to thank, Wayne Seip, Robbie Robinson, Bob and Angie Minear, Kent and Cathy Minear and the Minear families. There were times that they were more than friends, they were family. Also, Howard Bossle, Todd Bickers, Allen Reeder and Carl Quinn for bringing communion to Dad at home. Dad's caregiver, Debbie Scott, for always being there when Dad needed her. Also, to all his neighbors, friends, and church members who helped him celebrate his birthday, who stopped by to say hi, to visit, to have a cup of coffee, thank you, he enjoyed seeing you greatly. Arlie lived a long and full life, he will be missed very much by all who knew and loved him. He is dancing with Mom in Heaven!
Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church of Tuscola.
On-line condolences to the family may be sent to hilligossshraderfh.com