Marlene Naomi Arndt

Marlene Naomi Arndt, 76, of Fort Scott, KS and formerly of Dillsburg, PA passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the U.P.M.C. Harrisburg Hospital.

She was born October 25, 1948, in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of the late Ward and Marjorie (Wolfe) Lechthaler. She grew up in Cumberland County and graduated from Cumberland Valley High School. During her high school years, while working at A&W, she first caught Jim's eye. He describes her as the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. The two were married on March 30, 1968. They welcomed their beloved children, Jason and Mikki, into the world and enjoyed raising them on the family farm. As a family, they enjoyed traveling to horse shows and rodeos. Marlene made many friends and fond memories while working as a veterinary assistant to Doc Weber. She and Jim eventually co-founded Arndt Trailer Manufacturing, which they operated together for over twenty years.

After retiring from the horse trailer business in Pennsylvania, Marlene and Jim moved to Fort Scott, Kansas to be close to their children. After the move, she worked as a realtor and at Tri-Valley Developmental Services for several years. Marlene gravitated to positions where she could be of service to others. Among family and friends, she was known for her kindness, compassion, and faith. She was a loyal member of the St. John's United Methodist Church in Fort Scott, as well as being a dedicated member of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club. In recent years, Marlene served as the caretaker at the historic Sample Mansion in Fort Scott.

Marlene loved to travel, from her overseas excursions with friends to her beach vacations with Jim. Both she and Jim loved spending time at the shore throughout their marriage, making many great memories over the years. She was a very active person and enjoyed walks, attending exercise groups, horseback riding, camping, and tending to her many pets over the years. She especially loved spending time with her family and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her granddaughters, Karleigh and Miranda, affectionately called her "Nan".

Marlene is survived by her husband James "Jim" Edward Arndt; one son, Jason Arndt (Trina) of Fort Scott, KS; one daughter, Mikki Sawyer (Jeff) of Fort Scott, KS; two granddaughters, Karleigh Arndt and Miranda Arndt; and two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Mon of Mechanicsburg, PA and Bill Arndt of Dillsburg, PA. Marlene was preceded in death by her sister, Sandi Mon.

Services will be held on Monday, September 22 at 12pm in the Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc., 30 N. Chestnut St., Dillsburg, PA. A viewing will be held from 10am-12pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Marysville, PA. A celebration of life in Fort Scott will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Care to Share, P.O. Box 133, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.cocklinfuneralhome.com