Joseph W. Arasim was Okemos High School Principal from 1952-1962. Joseph, son of Frank (1865-1937) And Apolonia (Soboleski) (1878-1959) Arasim, was born 28 April 1908 in Ironwood, Gogebic County, Michigan. Both of Joseph's parents were born in Poland. Joseph's father Frank listed his home residence, at time of immigration to the United States, as Wronowo, Russland (Russia). Frank, age 23, boarded the German ship, "California," March of 1890 and arrived in New York Harbor 1 April 1890 under the name of "Franz Arasim." Frank listed his occupation as "Arbeiter" which in English can be translated as worker, laborer or blue collar worker.
The Arasim family was large, 9 children, and in 1926, at age 18, Joseph was employed by Chicago and North Western Railroad in Ironwood. His father also worked for the same railroad line and in later years become foreman in the roundhouse, working in the coal shed .
Joseph received his formal education at what originally was called Northern State Normal College in Marquette, Marquette County, Michigan. The college was young, established in 1899, but by 1927 was renamed Northern State Teacher's College. Today it is known as Northern Michigan University. Later Joseph went on to "Wayne University," now Wayne State University, and received a Master's degree.
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan) Monday 30 December 1929
RANGE STUDENTS ON COLLEGE HONOR ROLL
SIX FROM IRONWOOD GET HIGH GRADES AT MARQUETTE.
Six Ironwood students at Northern State Teachers college at Marquette are listed on the honor roll for the fall term. They are:
Joseph Arasim.......
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan) Friday 16 June 1939
Miss Bernie Arasim who teaches at Detroit arrived Monday to visit her mother, Mrs. Frank Arasim, 130 North Mansfield street. Joseph Arasim, an instructor at Monroe is also visiting his mother, Mrs. Arasim, Mansfield street.
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan) Tuesday 17 June 1941
Miss Bernice and Joseph Arasim, both of whom teach in Detroit, arrived last week end to spend the summer at the home of their mother, Mrs. Frank Arasim, 130 North Mansfield street. Thomas Arasim returned with them after having spent a week in Detroit, Windsor, Ont., and at Toledo, O. Jack Arasim, a student at Northern State Teachers College, has also arrived to spend the summer at his mother's home.
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan) Wednesday 10 June 1942
Joseph Arasim is visiting his mother, Mrs. Frank Arasim, 120 North Mansfield street. He enlisted in the army and must report by June 22 at Fort Knox, KY., where he will be a mathematics instructor. He formerly taught at the Monroe high school at Monroe, Mich.
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan) Saturday 7 October 1944
Joseph Arasim, Ironwood, has been promoted from first lieutenant to captain, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Frank Arasim, 130 North Mansfield street. He is serving in New Guinea with the army amphibious engineers. He enlisted in June 1942 and has been overseas since March, 1944.
Ironwood Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan)Friday 25 October 1945
With the 594th Amphibian Engineers in Yokohama - Capt. Joseph W. Arasim has been awarded the Bronze Star medal "for meritorious achievement in direct support of combat operations against the enemy" during the battle of Manila.
As assistant operations officer of the 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, he executed, organized and directed plans for the movement of vital cargo from ships to the shore by means of small craft lighterage. He fulfilled his duties so efficiently that his organization was commended by Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger, commanding general of the 6th Army, for the amount of cargo that was unloaded at the time when the need was so great.
Capt Arasim took part in the initial landing at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon and prior to that saw service at Oro Bay, New Guinea and Cape Gloucester, New Britain. In addition to the Bronze Star medal he is entitled to wear the Asiatic-Pacific theatre ribbon with three campaign stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon.
Before entering the army, Capt. Arasim was a teacher in the Monroe public schools. He is a graduate of Wayne university.
His mother, Mrs. Pola Arasim, lives at 130 North Mansfield street, Ironwood.
On 18 October 1947 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan Joseph W. Arasim married Julia Rosaline Siwek. Joseph became Okemos High School Principal in 1952 and served in that capacity until 1962.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 16 May 1962
PRINCIPAL REHIRING PETITIONED
The Okemos board of education has taken under advisement an unusual petition from Okemos high school students in which they have asked that Joseph Arasim, principal, be retained in the school system.
Arasim has announced he will resign at the end of the current school year, 1962.
Richard White, an Okemos resident, said he presented the petition to the Okemos board Monday on behalf of the students and said the document was signed by 87 percent of the high school student body.
The petition asked that the board persuade Arasim to withdraw his resignation and it went on to express high praise and regard for the school administrator.
Arasim has been with the Okemos school system since 1953.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 8 March 1995
ARASIM, JULIA S.
LANSING
Age 74, died Tuesday, March 7k 1995. Born September 26, 1920 the daughter of Alexander and Magdalene (Czubak) Siwek in Lansing. Mrs. Arasim was a member of St. Casimir Church, the Altar Society and the Catholic Women's Club. She retired from the State of Michigan Legislator as an Administrative Assistant to former Rep. James E. O'Neill, Jr. of Saginaw. She had a great love for cross stitch, books and her cat, Tobey; and will be remembered for her generous sharing of cooking skills. Surviving are her husband of 47 years, Joseph; daughters, Alexandra M. Miller, JoAnne S. Arasim and Elizabeth Ann Arasim. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 10 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Raymond Rademacher as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Park.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 16 December 1996
ARASIM, JOSEPH W.
LANSING
Age 88, died Saturday. Mr. Arasim was born April 28, 1908 in Ironwood, MI, the son of Frank and Appollina (Soboleski) Arasim. He was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church, and a veteran of World War II. He retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Education, as an Educational Consultant, and was the principal of Okemos High School from 1952 to 1962. Mr. Arasim had a great love for his family and he will be remembered for his enjoyment of reading, gardening, travel and for the love of his cat, Tobey. Joseph is preceded in death by his wife, Julia in 1995. He is survived by his children Alexandria M. Miller, JoAnne S. Arasim and Elizabeth Ann Arasim; brother, Thomas Arasim of Ironwood; and sister, Margaret Arasim of Los Angeles, CA. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, 12 noon at St. Casimir Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Raymond Rademacher as Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Ronald Henderson. Interment will follow at Deepdale Memorial Park.