Arvin Karas (Karazija)

Arvin Karas (Karazija), (born as Arvydas Aranauskas)
Jan. 18, 1935 – August 1, 2021

He was born in Sakiai, Lithuania, and came to the United States in his teens with his family. He was an airplane mechanic in the US Army from 1954-1956. He married Jane Peciulyte and they had two children. Arvin received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1960, and made significant contributions in his positions at Allis Chalmers Corp, Kershaw Mfg., and Elgin Sweeper. After retiring in 2000, he and his second wife, Rita, spent relaxing winters in Florida.
Arvin is survived by his son, Dr. Paul Karazija, MD (Laura), daughter Julie Pienkos (Rich), stepsons Paul (Ann) and Rick (Sue) Sakalys, stepdaughter Audrey Sakalys-Moore (Karen Sakalys-Moore), grandchildren Griffin and Garrett Karazija, Scott Pienkos, and Christina Gardner, step-grandchildren Sarah and Amy, Jake and Lily Sakalys, and Tyler Sakalys-Moore, and great-grandchildren Noah, Avery, Juliana, Lucy, Sebastian, and Frederic Gardner, sister Laima (Mykolas) Sereiva of Vilnius, Lithuania, brother Pete Karazija, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Donna and Al Gulbinas, brother-in-law Gene Derencius, and nephews Kestas, Mindaugas, and Gintaras Sereiva, and Joseph and Edward Derencius.
Arvin was predeceased by his father, Kazys Aranauskas, mother Brone Karazija, stepfather Joseph Karazija, brother Romas Aranauskas, and sister Diane Derencius.

Arvin loved socializing with his family and friends, and enjoyed playing golf, hockey, and racquetball, and was active in the Lithuanian-American community of the Chicago area. He was a dear, sweet person loved by all who knew him. The family especially thanks all those who so lovingly cared for him in the last four years of his life at Arbor Woods Assisted Living and Mission Point Assisted Living in Jackson MI.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 11:30 AM. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Church's Facebook page. Graveside interment services will be held at the Lithuanian National Cemetery in Justice Illinois on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 12:00 Noon.

In lieu of flowers contributions to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson or to the Blessed Jurgis Mathulitis Mission Church in Lemont, Illionis.

The family will receive friends at St. John's Church on Wednesday from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 131 years