Arlene D. Etchison , age 87 of Greentown, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Elwood Health and Living following an extended battle with dementia.  She was born June 21, 1937 in Elwood, the daughter of Carl and Rosella (Frazee) Fernung, Jr.  Arlene attended St. Joseph School for 8 years before graduating from Wendell L. Willkie High School in 1955.  She married the love of her life, Donald L. Etchison on Jan. 15, 1954 and they recently celebrated 71 years of marriage together.
Arlene was a devoted homemaker and farm-wife all of her life, caring for all the needs of her large family and assisting on the farm.

Arlene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood where she served as a lector and assisted with CCD classes for many years.  She enjoyed crafting, making handmade stationary with dried flower accents, and was known as an outstanding cook.  Arlene was especially known for making delicious homemade pies.  She took pride in caring for her family and maintaining her home.  Arlene and Don loved spending time in Michigan at their lake home which was a special place of retreat for many years.  Evening sunsets were one of her favorite things.  Arlene will be lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who absolutely adored her family.

Arlene's family includes her husband Donald Etchison of Greentown; 3 surviving children, Julie Nesbit, Gary (Sharon) Etchison, and Terry (Anna) Etchison all of Greentown; 3 siblings, David (Linda) Fernung of Kokomo, Margaret (Ken) Wardwell of New Albany, and Michael Fernung of Kokomo; 5 grandchildren, Nicole Etchison, Brett (Teresa) Etchison, Misti Reed, Ora Etchison (Morgan), and Holly (Chris) Collins; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Marlene Fernung of Tipton, and Kathy Fernung of Tipton; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; son, Gregory Allen Etchison; 3 brothers, Robert Fernung, Lester Fernung, and Charles "Chuck" Fernung; and son-in-law, Mike Nesbit.

A funeral service celebrating Arlene's life and faith will be conducted at 2 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Father Dennis Goth of St. Joseph Church officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12 to 2 pm on Saturday prior to the funeral at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.