Arthur J. Bodo

Arthur J. Bodo, of Steubenville, 95 years of age, transitioned from this life on March 26, 2024, to be with Jesus the carpenter: so he could show Jesus to measure twice & cut once. He was born on Nov. 3, 1928 to the late Biaggio & Giovanna (Marsiglio) Bodo.  

Arthur was a 1947 graduate of Steubenville High School & a Big Red fan. The best memory for Arthur at Big Red happened on Sept. 19, 1946 at the Big Red vs. East Liverpool football game. It rained that night & Arthur was in the stands supporting his team but, he was behind someone with a big opened umbrella. Arthur couldn’t see the field & yelled for the person to put the umbrella down. When June lowered her umbrella & looked Arthur’s way, Arthur knew immediately she was the girl he was going to marry.  And, on June 30, 1951, Arthur & June Chappo took their wedding vows. Arthur was a loving husband to June & was over the moon when their 5 children were born.  Arthur’s primary goal in life was taking care of his family. From a very young age, Arthur had a strong work ethic. The family remembers hearing tales of him working with George Huscroft Sr as a tomato picker, then later he packed dishes in wooden barrels with straw for the Steubenville Pottery.  He worked unloading train box cars & stocked shelves for the A&P on South Street.  He, then worked at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel starting as a welder doing repair work on rail cars.  

All the while, Arthur attended the College of Steubenville & graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Somehow, between work & college; he found time to be an active member of the Omega Alpha Kappa fraternity & he was president of Night Student Council. Arthur’s education advanced him to the main office of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel that included several levels of job advancement, one being; Foreman of the Carpenter Shop.  Arthur worked several jobs throughout WPS including Supervisor of the Open Hearth, he retired from the mill after 37 years.  Arthur didn’t know the meaning of retirement so, in 1983 he founded AMB Home Builders (AMB, named after his sons, Art, Mark & Brian). Arthur figured he had already built the 2 homes his family lived in & helped numerous individuals build their own homes; why not make a business out of it. And, besides; Arthur loved the smell of lumber, the sound of the hammer hitting the nail head, the thrill of each piece of wood fitting perfectly after measuring & cutting, & the pride when the job was complete!  However, after 2 years of June not seeing Arthur before dark; Arthur dissolved AMB Home Builders & took a 8:00 to 4:00 job working for the City of Steubenville as a work site inspector for the Metropolitan Housing Rehabilitation Program.  Do not think that this 8:00 to 4:00 job was ho hum…Arthur was back in his element!  Arthur preformed pre-remodeling inspections on homes & determined what essential repairs and/or utilities were needed for each homeowner. He did follow up inspections to make sure that the proper equipment was utilized, installations were correct and ALL contracted work was up to city code for the health & safety of these homeowners.

After 5 years, Arthur “finally” retires for good!  Arthur was an active member in local communities. He served as a Board Member for the Indian Creek School Board.  Arthur served as president for 1 year. Happened to be the year the teachers went on strike, HMMM?  One of Arthur’s true honors was being District Deputy for District #44 and a 3rd Degree Member of the 427 Knights of Columbus.  He helped plan & aided in the construction of the Jeffersonian Lodge & for 17 years helped with St Pius The Tenth Church Bingo.  Arthur joined the choir at his wife’s insistence, at least; that’s what he always told everyone but, he enjoyed every minute of it.  And, upon his church’s closure, he joined Blessed Sacrament Church & their choir.  

Arthur’s second love next to his family, was his yard. He would spend hours on end, planting, trimming, weeding, watering, feeding & cutting his lawn.  He was always so proud of the green lush grass & all the foliage in his yard. Arthur would stand in the yard for hours & water everything in site. We think Arthur found the secret to staying married!  Arthur & June’s home became known as the Christmas House on Lexington Drive. For decades they’d hand make & display spectacular award winning Christmas decorations. Generations of families would come from miles around to view their home. Everyone had their favorite! Weather it was the huge Christmas wreath around the front door of the house, the merry-go-round, the lit up gazebo, Cinderella, her carriage, the castle & of course; Prince Charming.  Arthur’s favorite? The Nativity.  Arthur always made sure the Nativity Scene was the first thing that was put out in the yard on display.  A few of these decorations are still being enjoyed as part of the annual Nutcracker Village Festival in Steubenville.  

Arthur, in addition to his parents, is preceded in death by his wife of almost 73 years, June Bodo; who passed away Feb. 25, 2024: his Brother Albino Bodo, Sister and Brother-In-Law Angeline & Silvio Zucco, Brother-In-Law Robert Lanham & Granddaughter Ashley Coleman.  

Arthur is survived by his Children Art (Kathy) Bodo, Sharon (Jim) Coleman, Mark (Pam) Bodo, Leslie (Tony) Piergallini, Brian Bodo (Jamie Maley fiancé) and Ex-Daughter-In-Law Pam Cucarese Bodo, Sisters-In-Law, Anita Bodo & Jeanette (Toots) Lanham; numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren, nieces, nephews & cousins.  

The family would like to thank dear friend Tammy Duchin for aiding Arthur & June in their Twilight Years & to the neighbors of Lexington & Whitehall who aided, cared & kept a watchful eye out for them.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 8, 2024, from 2:00pm - 6:00pm at Mosti Funeral Home, Sunset Chapel, 4435 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville.  A Funeral Liturgy with Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church will be held Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 11 am, Fr. Michael Gossett will cerebrate.  Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memorial too;  Prime Time Office on Aging, for MEALS.  300 Lovers Lane, Steubenville, OH 43952. Phone 740-314-5197.  

Offer condolences, www.mostifuneralhome.com