Arnold John Romanus Sr.

Arnold “John” Romanus, Sr. of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away on Tuesday December 5, 2023, at his home at the age of 87. John was born on September 14, 1936, in St. Louis, MO and has been a devoted Christian since childhood attending a catholic grade school and insisting that his parents took him to church every Sunday until he was old enough to attend by himself. In 1957, at the age of 21, he served in the Army. On Feb 20, 1965, John married Alice Eilleen Strobel in St. Louis, MO and remained married for 45 years. Following getting married, he lived in St. Clair, MO for 25 years raising and supporting his family. He was employed as an Insurance Agent Cargo Claims Adjuster, worked with the US Army Corp of Engineers, as well as being self-employed. John ran both a rabbit processing plant and a dog breeding business (white German Shepards) while building both a house and a home on 40 acres of property that he purchased. Subsequently, he ran a successful Tax accounting business for 15 years while being an involved community member. Those memberships and activities include the Knights of Columbus and starting the local county’s chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. In 1990, John decided to retire. He sold the tax accounting business and moved to Florida. He remained in Florida for the next 33 years. While there, he traveled all 50 states in between working on his hobbies of Classic Cars, playing Santa Claus at parties, negotiating at flea markets, and being a crusader (FL Sunshine Law, Viatical Insurance Fraud (including recognition from FL Governor Jeb Bush), Asbestos / Smoking Injury Claim, Veteran’s Disability Ratings, and acting as his own lawyer during court cases with a 98% win rate), volunteering at Tidewell Hospice as their Veteran recognition pinning representative for military hospice patients and at the local Veteran’s Nursing Home as a Chaplin. Additionally, he was an involved member of New Day Christian Church for 20+ years. John was very proud of his accomplishment of writing a religious book, despite being legally blind at the time. John is survived by one son, Arnold John Romanus, Jr. (wife Carol Ann) of Papillion, NE; one daughter Linda Lee Romanus (Robby White) of Port Charlotte, FL; four grandchildren Sara Aleyce Romanus of Austin, TX, Andrew Scott Walka of Port Charlotte, FL, Logan Hunter Romanus of Portland, OR, and Brittney Nicole Walka of Port Charlotte, FL; one brother, John Donald Romanus, Sr. (wife Mary) of St. Louis, MO; two nephews John Donald Romanus, Jr. (wife Sarah) of Sullivan, MO and Matthew Michael Romanus of Washington, MO; four grand nephews and one grandniece; half cousin Vicki Hovenstein (nee Scharlott) of Indianapolis, IN; half cousin Cheri Stevenson (nee Scharlott) of Imperial, MO. John was preceded in death by his wife Alice Eileen Romanus of Port Charlotte, FL; mother, Lillian Romanus (nee Hendricks) of St. Louis, MO; father Fred Donald Romanus of St. Louis, MO and biological father Arnold L Scharlott of St. Louis, MO; half cousins Roger Scharlott, Sr. of St. Louis, MO and Richard “Rick” Scharlott, Sr. of St. Louis, MO; and his lifelong best friend Raymond William “Bill” Greathouse of St. Louis, MO. Services will be held on Saturday Jan 6, 2024, at 11 am at New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, FL with a reception immediately following. New Day Christian Church can be contacted for further information. Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. “ In Lieu of Flowers, donations to any of the following charitable organizations that were dear to John’s heart would be appreciated: Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) https://bva.org/support/ways-to-give/ Disabled American Veterans https://www.dav.org/ways-to-give/ St. Judes https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 27th from 1-5PM at Brothers on Main Restaurant (Banquet Room) 25 S Main St, St. Clair, MO 63077. The gathering will be a casual atmosphere / open schedule. Anyone wishing to attend is invited to do so at their convenience to visit with John’s family and friends for the length of their choice. Food and drinks available. Arrangements are under the care of Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services Inc. located at 14538 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287. 941-423-9110 www.gendronfuneralhome.com

Arnold John Romanus Sr.

September 14, 1936 - December 5, 2023