E. Arlene Holden

E. Arlene Holden

St. Johns

E. Arlene Holden of St. Johns, MI died at the age of 100.  Born April 27,1914 to Russell E. and Blanche L.  (Cross) Ash, Arlene grew up on a farm in rural Duplain Township.  She was a long-time member of Duplain Church of Christ and the VFW Auxiliary.  After 29 years of service, Arlene retired from the General Telephone Company.  On October 21, 1940, she married Charles D. "Wayne" Holden and he preceded her in death on February 23, 1985.

Arlene was also preceded in death by her parents, sister, Lucille Wade, and brothers, Larry and Robert Ash.

Surviving are her sister, Geraldine (Jack) Hawes of Elsie; nephews, Gary (Carole) Hawes of Laingsburg and David Ash of Saginaw; niece, Lois Wade of Owosso; great nephew, Brad (Lynne) Hawes of Lansing; great nieces, Bethany (Matt) Schantz of Caledonia, Becky (Shawn) Hale of Midland; 10 great great grand nieces and nephews and her special church family at Duplain Church of Christ.

Arlene's life centered around her church.  She was a former Sunday School teacher, and although she and Wayne had no children of their own, Arlene thought of her nieces and nephews and Sunday School students as her children.  In addition to her church, Arlene had a love of flower gardening and entertaining both friends and family.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 noon Monday, September 1, 2014 at the Duplain Church of Christ, 5565 E. Colony Rd., St. Johns, MI with Brad Hawes and Gary Hawes officiating.  Burial will follow at Duplain Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Michigan Christian Campus Ministries, 1171 Trowbridge Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.  The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.