Arthur Howard Bain, 73, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 1:45 am December 13, 2023, at his residence. He was born December 23, 1949, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late William Howard and Jessie Glenn (Dunlap) Bain.
Arthur married Tammy (Finn) Bain on July 22, 1995, in Mount Vernon, Illinois. In addition to his beloved wife of twenty-eight years, Arthur is survived by his sisters, Barbara Jean Hass, Charlotte Williams-Cooper, Linda Webb, and Lisa (Sean) Baldridge; sisters-in-law, Cindy (Jessie Griffin) Harris, Janet (Jerry) Hicks, and Karen Bain; brother-in-law, Dan (Stacey) Finn; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Also left to grieve are his furry companions, Petey and Boots. In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by his children, William and Michael; brothers, Bill, Lester, and Melvin Bain; sister, Glenda; brothers-in-law, John Webb, Sr., Clyde Cooper, and Ron Finn; nephew, Johnny Lee Webb, Jr.; niece, Kandida Bess; and father and mother-in-law, Kellie and Shirley Finn. Arthur first married Pam McGill to which two sons were born. He later married Tammy (Finn) Bain and they had over thirty-eight years together. This was a very special marriage and they were best friends to the end.
Arthur was a true patriot and loved what the American Flag stands for. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War from 1969 – 1971 in the United States Navy. He built pipelines all over the U.S. with his father until settling back in Mount Vernon where he labored for the Jefferson County Highway Department for twenty-two years until early medical retirement. He loved his job and his “work family” at the County Highway Department. He was a tough, yet peaceable, selfless, gentle soul, helping his neighbor when possible.
Most of all he was a God-fearing man, who knew his Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, as displayed in his interactions with others. Arthur “fought the good fight.. finished his course and kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7. Death and the grave have no victory over the believer because apart from the body, the spirit lives forever. Arthur fully knew that God had given him the option to choose death in the bowels of hell irrevocable or peaceful eternity in Heaven with the Savior. Deuteronomy 30:19 states “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you that I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life, that you may live.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Arthur’s hope and the hope every believer is this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. “For those who love and miss Arthur, God’s amazing grace is the only true help for our current sorrow and it’s not goodbye forever. We’ll see you when we get there.
My sweet Artie, I am so glad you now know great peace and are finally healed of the evils of cancer that made you fragile and frail on earth. Now sweet man, I take comfort in knowing you are enjoying the very presence of the Almighty, in your new fabulous home where he’s already wiped away all tears from your eyes, and there’s no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. Revelation 21:4. I can almost see you bright with excitement describing it to me right now. Enjoy, Sweetheart, enjoy!
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Full military rites will be conducted at 3:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home by Mount Vernon American Legion Post #141. Inurnment will be held at Smith-Veterans Cemetery in Belle Rive, Illinois at a later date. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
