Arthur L. Bethke peacefully died, with his children by his side, on Sunday, May 20, at 71 years of age.
Art was born Dec. 30, 1940, in Sedalia, Mo. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He believed in education, working as a full professor in the College of Business at Northeast Louisiana University. But his greatest accomplishments were as a devout Christian, faithful husband, devoted father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen (Miki) Bethke.
He is survived by his son, Chris Bethke of Holly Springs, Ga., his wife Kandra and three children, Madalyn, Erin and Allyson. He is also survived by his daughter, Kelly Johnson of Rock Springs, Ga., her husband Russell and their daughter Livia. Other surviving family members include his brother, Jerry Bethke of Jefferson City, Mo., his wife Liz and his two sons Alan and Jeff as well as his Sister-in-Law Pat Read of Houston, Tx., her husband Ronnie and their children Shelly and Scott.
Services will be held on Friday, May 25, at First Lutheran Church, 2800 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 at 2 p.m. He will be interred at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga with full military honors.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to the Hospice of Chattanooga, www.chattanoogahospice.org.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.