Arlene Rogers

A loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to all who knew her, Arlene Marie Rogers found that her greatest joy was being in the presence of her loving family whom she treasured dearly. She will be sadly missed as her memory lives on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Arlene was born at a time when families struggled through the hardships of the Great Depression and impending war overseas. They learned to find joy in the little things in life, like gathering around the radio or going to a picture show that allowed them to free their minds from everyday worries. It was in the midst of these challenging times that Eugene and Ruth (Fritz) Scheidel welcomed Arlene Marie into their lives on May 10, 1934. Born in Wright Township, a small community north of Marne, Michigan, Arlene was the oldest of three children in the Scheidel family. Living on Eighth Avenue, her father worked in a local furniture factory while her mother was a homemaker.

When Arlene was quite young, the family moved to Alpine Avenue, eventually moving to what became Arlene’s childhood home at 1413 Powers NW, where many fond memories were made, especially with big family dinners prepared lovingly by Arlene’s mother. A close knit family, Arlene grew up with her brother Alvin and sister Karen, and as siblings, strong bonds were formed early on and continued throughout their lives. Many fun times were spent with her siblings and friends at Richmond Park near her home. Summer days were spent swimming in the park pool and the pond. Richmond Park provided great ice skating and sledding during the winter months.

As a young girl, Arlene became a fan of plays, often attending the Civic Theater and the Circle Theater. As part of a devout Catholic family, Arlene attended St. Anthony of Padua Elementary School and went on to graduate in 1952 from Catholic Central High School. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church would remain Arlene’s church home throughout her life. In 1960, when Arlene was 26, her mother passed away at the age of 50 and it proved to be a difficult time for Arlene and her close family.

While attending a Sears and Roebuck company picnic, Arlene’s life was forever changed when her friend introduced her to the young man her friend was dating named Wilbur “Bill” Rogers. Arlene and Bill became good friends and soon began dating themselves. Arlene often asked her little sister Karen to tag along on many of their dates. Six months later and in love, they were blessed in marriage at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on October 23, 1954, spending a wonderful honeymoon in Niagara Falls. Not of the Catholic faith, Wilbur converted to Catholicism and attended church regularly with Arlene.

After settling into their home on Turner Avenue, Arlene and Bill began their family. They needed to move when an expressway was to come through their property, so they moved to Hanchette NW for a time. As their family grew, so did their need for more space which prompted a move in 1963 to their family home at 1539 Widdicomb NW where Arlene would remain for the rest of her days. Although Wilbur was a farmer at heart, Arlene was a true city girl and wanted to remain in town.

Blessed with five wonderful children, Tom, Susan, Linda, William and Ruth filled their parents lives with joy. Family vacations were spent going to Cedar Point in Ohio each summer and memorable times were made over the years visiting and exploring old forts in Michigan and Ohio as well as trips to the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan each year. Bill had good jobs over the years and eventually retired from C&O Railroad while Arlene worked at K-Mart for a short time before getting a job at Michigan Bell Telephone as a telephone operator. She retired in 1989 after 20 years of dedicated service to the company.

With the death of her father in 1985, Arlene now had lost both of her parents but she continued to have a close relationship with her siblings. Because of this special part of her upbringing, she instilled a closeness within her own family. She was especially delighted when grandchildren came along. Her nine grandchildren and eventual five great-grandchildren became her pride and joy and Arlene loved them dearly. They loved spending time with their grandma and she relished time spent with them. Arlene often attended their school functions and always remembered each of their birthdays.

Throughout the years, Arlene loved music from the Big Band era, polkas and country music. With her love for swimming, Arlene spent her adult years swimming at the YMCA. After she retired, she found pleasure volunteering at Harrison Park Elementary School and in 1989 she became a member of the Alano Club. She attended many meetings and voluntered there as well. She loved eating out at family restaurants like Perkins, Russ’s, Lannings and the Red Hot Inn which became some of her favorites. In their retired years, Arlene and Bill enjoyed traveling, going on several cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, and even enjoyed staying in the infamous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan. Sadly, Arlene’s husband Bill passed away on May 21, 2008. During this time, Arlene relied on the love and support from her family.

In the begining of 2009, Arlene started to have medical problems and went to St. Mary's Hospital, had surgery and recovered from the operation. In the middle of August, Arlene returned to the hospital for another surgery, developing complications. Arlene never recovered and passed away at the age of 75 on Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

Arlene is survived by her children, Tom Rogers, Susan (Mike) Nink, Linda (Joe) Igleski, William (Dee) Rogers, and Ruth Melendez; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her brother, Alvin (Annette) Scheidel; sister, Karen (Dave) Shaffer; nieces, nephews and many friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 29, 2009, 10:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2510 Richmond St. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM with a scripture service at 7:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW and also on Saturday at the church from 9:00 AM until the Mass begins. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alano Club. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com. to share a memory, submit a photo or to sign her online guest book.