Arlene Tichnell

Arlene Tichnell, daughter of the late Darrell and Mary Tichnell, was born November 29, 1954, in Lansing Sparrow Hospital. She joined a younger sibling, Gary, whom was born in 1950. In 1958, younger sister Gail was born and joined the family.

Arlene Tichnell is survived by brother Gary Tichnell and wife Jacquelin 'Jackie' (Terry) Tichnell, sister Gail Gesselman (Tichnell) and husband Michael Gesselman, nieces; Jonelle M. (Tichnell) Lull and husband Doug Lull, great nephews Landon Lull, Carter Lull, great niece Kaydence Lull, niece Tracey A. Tichnell and significant other Tom Gore, nephew John M. Tichnell and nephew Michael J. Gesselman, II and wife Ciera Lou Ann (Banks) Gesselman, great nephew Michael James Gesselman, III and nephew David E. Gesselman. Arlene's parents Darrell and Mary (Kundrat) Tichnell, paternal Grandparents John and Ethel (Lee) Tichnell, and maternal Grandparents Michael J. and Mary (Jakubik) Kundrat, preceded in death.  

Arlene grew up in Dimondale, Michigan, and attended Dimondale elementary school to the 6th grade, and then was bussed to

Holt Jr. High School, for 7th and 8th grades, and then graduated in 1972 from Holt High School. Arlene was an excellent

student and worked hard to achieve high grades and received a scholarship. Shortly after high school graduation, the family moved from Dimondale to an 80 acre farm northeast of Lansing, within two miles of a small village called Palo.

Arlene chose to attend Olivet College, in Olivet in 1972. Arlene would come home from college on most weekends, spring break and during summer where she took a part time job at Carson City Hospital, and also worked at the Sheridan County farm home for persons with physical and mental afflictions.

 Arlene graduated from Olivet college with a degree in teaching, and taught at Mar-Lee Elementary school for some years. But, due to a great volume of teachers at the time, she was laid off and was not able to receive tenure. It was at Mar-Lee Elementary school, where Arlene was a teacher to a student named Gayle that touched Arlene's life in a very kindred way. In later years, Gayle became a very dear and close friend to Arlene, and in their adult years they formed a 'family type bond' after Gayle married and had children of her own, Arlene became Godmother to Gayle's children Ashlyn and Nicholas whom she loved and adored and often shared in their family get-togethers.

Arlene loved books! Books were her passion and she accumulated a vast variety of a very large collection. Arlene loved to learn!

In 1974, Arlene was hired at Oldsmobile of General Motors, and worked the assembly line for several years, and took classes and became a skilled trades electrician, and retired in 2004.

Arlene was not much of a socialite for the most part, she preferred her solitude to reading books and listening to her music. She enjoyed doing things around the house with her mother Mary and those two had a very close relationship which Arlene cherished. Her Dad had a jingle for her in which he would say; 'You're a chip off the old block!' Arlene loved visiting with her Grandmother Mary Kundrat, whom was especially dear and close to her heart. She loved visiting her Grandparents in West Virginia, and her Grandpa Tichnell nick-named her his 'Peaches' and they would sit and swing together on the front porch and sing Grandpa's favorite hymn; "When the Roll is called up Yonder." Arlene would help Grandma Tichnell in the kitchen and doing dishes with her while listening to her stories of days gone by.

After Arlene's brother Gary and Jackie married, and her sister Gail and Michael married, and had children of their own, Arlene doted on and loved endlessly her nieces and nephews; Jonelle, Tracey, John, Michael II, David, and great-nephew Michael III. Aunt Arlene was special to them all, having countless hours with each, especially on birthdays and Christmas's. Arlene loved to spoil them, and gave them many wonderful gifts.

Residing in Lasing, Michigan for most of her adult life, Arlene was married for a brief time, but sought and received annulment. While working at General Motors, Arlene went on to pursue a degree in Horticulture from MSU, and a degree in Cannon Law from Sienna Heights in Adrian, Michigan.

Arlene had lots of hobbies, some of which included; reading, music, collecting recipes, making macrame projects, going to arts and crafts shows, attending fine arts concerts and plays, traveled to Europe twice visiting several countries, and took group bus trips sightseeing to various places in the USA.

Arlene was a devout Christian. She enjoyed reading the Holy Bible, and she was passionate about her love for Jesus Christ, and she tried her best to please God. In her young life; Arlene and family, attended Lansing's 'Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church' for a while. Dad was raised protestant, and in mid- 1960, the family converted to protestant, and became members of the Dimondale Methodist Church.

 After Arlene's retirement in 2004, she wanted to convert back to Catholicism. Arlene became a member of the St. Gerard Catholic Church in Lansing.  St. Vincent Catholic Church Charities was very dear to her heart for making charitable contributions, amongst other charities in which she was very passionate about.

Life for Arlene had many joys, but also very struggling times. Yet, she persevered through many trials of personal hardship and health issues. She fought hard to defeat those physical ailments and afflictions to the very end of her life at age 63, when her heart ceased to beat.

A Funeral Service will be held, Friday, May 11, 2018, 12 Noon at the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, Delta Chapel with Rev. Fr. Bernard Reilly officiating. Interment will take place at Damon Cemetery in Newburg, WV.

Arlene will be forever missed by her family, friends and church.

Rest in Peace our Beloved Sister Arlene.        

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