Arlene Harrison, of Dowagiac

Published 8:00 am Monday, August 21, 2017

Sept. 22, 1938 — Aug. 17, 2017

Arlene A. Harrison, 78, of Dowagiac, passed away Aug. 17, 2017, at her home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m.,on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, with Pastor Tim Mathis officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Harrison Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Nancy Wiersma. Those wishing to sign Arlene’s guestbook may do so online at newellchapel.com.

Arlene Harrison

Arlene was born Sept. 22, 1938, in Dowagiac, to Richard and Evelyn (Johnson) Housenger. She was a graduate of Dowagiac High School and went on to earn her degree in nursing from South Western Michigan College in 1973.

On Nov. 23, 1978, she married Gerald Harrison Sr. in Paw Paw, Michigan. Arlene worked as Registered Nurse at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw for more than 40 years in the neonatal unit and worked at Lee Memorial briefly before retirement.

Arlene loved to garden, paint and go shopping at garage sales. Most of all, she loved taking care of her family.

Arlene is survived by her daughters, Nancy (George) Wiersma of Dowagiac, Julie (James F.) Darrigan of Dowagiac, and Susan Pond of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Keith, Stephanie, Jamie and April; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gerald Smith, and her second husband, Gerald Harrison Sr.; grandson, Chad; and brother, Donald Housenger.