Arnold Clarence "Arnie" Michaelis, 81 of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.

Arnie was born September 4, 1937 in Windsor, Colorado. He was the son of Oscar C. and Elizabeth (Koppel) Michaelis. He grew up for a short time in Windsor before his family moved to Kansas.

Arnie was united in marriage to Amelia Grace Schneider on April 1, 1956 in Russell. This union was blessed with five children; Jeffrey, Randall, Roxanne, Judith and Jerry. They made their home north of Russell until 1962 when they moved two miles north of Gorham, Kansas. Then in 1966 they moved to Paradise, Kansas. Then they returned to Russell in 1972. Amelia preceded him in death on November 20, 2015.

Arnie worked in the oil fields as a driller for Mask and Dreiling Drilling. He was a farmer and dairy farmer while living in Paradise. He went back to the oil field when he returned to Russell. He started L&M Well Servicing in 1993 with Virgil Leiker. He continued to operate the business after Virgil's passing. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church. He also was a member of the Russell Masonic Lodge, Isis Shrine, and the Russell Elks Lodge. In his spare time he enjoyed bowling, stock car racing, watching the Kansas City Royals and the KU Basketball games. When he was younger he was active in local saddle clubs.

Arnie's surviving family include his daughters, Roxanne Young (Scott) of Iuka, Kansas and Judith Riebel (Perry) of Russell, Kansas; sons, Jeffrey Michaelis (Janelle) of Russell, Kansas and Jerry Michaelis also of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Virgil Michaelis (Judy) of Salina, Kansas and Doug Michaelis (Nancy) also of Salina, Kansas; eight grandchildren and one great grandson.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, wife Amelia, and son, Randall Michaelis.

Celebration of Arnie's Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, July 19, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with St. John Lutheran church Broadcasting or Russell Masonic Lodge. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.