Arthur Edwin Hughes, 82, of Whitewater, died July 24, 2016, at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.
Art was born in Janesville, March 27, 1934, the son of George Francis and Edith May (Banks) Hughes. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1953 and shortly thereafter served his country in the U.S. Marines.
Early in his adult life, Art was a professional ballroom dancer and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He later worked as a loan officer for First Citizens Bank in Whitewater and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School of Banking. He was subsequently the owner of Hughes Floral, a full service floral shop and greenhouse located in Whitewater as well. In his mid-career he began working as a custodian for the Whitewater School District where he retired in 1999.
Art was a long-time, active member of the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, and was an avid gardener who helped with the city gardens for many years. He used his dancing talent to teach ballroom dance through many local organizations, including the Whitewater Recreation Department.
One of his greatest achievements involved founding the Whitewater Community Clothes Closet, which he initiated 15 years ago as an annual children’s coat drive and grew into a thriving, permanent clothing mission serving the entire community. Today the Clothes Closet is located at the Whitewater Congregational Church.
Most recently, Art served as director for the Whitewater Food Pantry. In addition to his community service, in his spare time he enjoyed many hobbies, especially woodworking and weaving. He was considered a fiber artist and was known for his passion for weaving and fiber arts.
Art was a beloved father and husband. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth M. (William) King, Whitewater, Timothy D. Hughes, Whitewater, and James M. (Beverly) Hughes, Minneapolis; grandchildren, Josh, Kyra, Kylie and Leila; sister, Gerry F. Mosley, Whitewater; former wife, Dorothy Hughes, Whitewater; step children, Keith (Dawn) Raufman, Whitewater, Kevin Raufman, Whitewater, Bob (Theresa) Raufman, Milton, and Kay (Gary) Tomaszewski, Delavan; step-grandchildren, Karen, Emily, Shiann, Erica, Kathryn, Kelly and Sirina; and six step-great grandchildren.
Art was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eva; a brother, Patrick Hughes; and a sister, Georgia May Amato.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 28 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater.
Visitation will be at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater until the time of the services.
Those planning and expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to the First United Methodist Church, Whitewater.
