Arnold "Arny" H. Oetting

Arnold H. “Arny” Oetting, 95, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away Friday morning, April 26, 2024, at Adams Woodcrest in Decatur.

He was born April 19, 1929 in Decatur, Indiana to Henry L. and Adelinda L. (Scheumann) Oetting.  Arny was united in marriage to Shirley “Jean” Perkins on May 28, 1954 and she preceded him in death on January 23, 2023.

Arny was honorably discharged from the United States Army.

Arny received his undergrad and master’s degree from Ball State University. He spent his career in education which encompassed 39 years and 3 different high schools. After graduating from Ball State, his first teaching position was at Pleasant Mills High School where he was the head basketball, track, and cross country coach. He then moved to Leo High School where he, from 1958 to 1972, taught business courses and coached basketball, track, cross country, and baseball. He eventually became the school's Athletic Director. In 1973, he was appointed Harding High School's first Athletic Director and stayed in that position until his retirement in 1991.

He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he served as an elder and an usher.

He enjoyed watching his daughter Robin and two sons Randy and Ryan play sports throughout grade school and high school. Arny enjoyed playing golf in retirement and spending time with his grandchildren. He also liked playing Euchre with the family and attending to his lawn and landscape.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin Caylor of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son, Randy (Betty) Oetting of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Ryan (Alexandra Da Fonte) Oetting of Nashville, Tennessee; two sisters, Dorothy Williams of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Evelyn (Phil) DeBolt of Decatur, Indiana; sister-in-law, Dorothy Oetting of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Erin (Brian) Erickson, Greg (Abby) Caylor, Jenna (Dave) Melvin, Ryan Caylor, Chad Oetting, Megan Oetting, Kate Oetting; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jean, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Paul (Theresa) Oetting, Elmer Oetting, Clarence Oetting, and Henry “Hank” (Evelyn) Oetting; and a brother-in-law, David Williams.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church located at 4245 Lake Avenue in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Pastor Doug Croucher will officiate and entombment will follow at Concordia Cemetery Gardens.

Family and friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Worship Anew, Heart to Heart Hospice, or Concordia Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.