Arthur Michael Karolyi, 91, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026. Born September 24, 1934, in Payne, Ohio to the late Peter Paul and Rose (nee Mohachi) Karolyi. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Monna June (nee Earhardt).

As the youngest of a busy, Hungarian immigrant family, Art learned to fend for himself. In first grade, he enrolled himself in the public school, fearing the stricter discipline of the parochial school his family thought he was attending, and in junior high, he began sneaking to Ft. Wayne to work in a garage. The garage work set him on his career path as a highly regarded auto body man. After marrying Monna in 1954, the couple built their life in Ft. Wayne. They temporarily moved to Massachusetts when Art was drafted into the Army in the late 1950s.

Art and Monna expanded their family with two sons, Mike and Darrell, and many pets throughout the years. Art worked tirelessly to provide for his family. During the 1970s, Art was auto body man by day and entertainer by night - wearing a wig and playing the ukulele for his Tiny Tim impersonation at his bar, The K Lounge. Art continued his auto body and car restoration career until his retirement at age 78. A true artisan with a career spanning seven decades, Art could color match paint and apply striping to a car better than anyone. After retirement, Art and son Mike dedicated themselves to charitably making needed repairs at a local Ft. Wayne church. Art was also a member of and longtime usher and greeter at Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church.

Art was generous, ingenious, industrious, and smart and read the newspaper daily. Able to fix anything, he fashioned his own tools if what he needed wasn’t available. Art had a twinkle in his eye and loved being with his family. Art helped Mike fully restore a 1960 Cadillac convertible which they enjoyed taking to car shows. He will be remembered for his love of children, animals, home grown vegetables, old Westerns, and vintage cars and winning every twist dance contest.

He is survived by sons Michael of Fort Wayne and Darrell (Margaret) of Barrington Hills, Illinois; granddaughter Tessa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Monna and siblings Elizabeth, Louis and Joseph Karolyi, Helen Hoy and Clara Burgoon.

Funeral Service is at 12:30 pm, Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church, 10145 Maysville Road, with calling one hour prior. He will be laid to rest at Covington Memorial Gardens.