Arlene Gearhart, age 94 of Ithaca, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Rosewood Adult Foster Care in Ithaca.
Arlene was born February 12, 1925 in Ithaca to George and Beatrice (Wiles) Fortney. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1943. She attended one year at Lansing Business University and then worked at Roseville Packing in Grand Ledge, Michigan in the office. She met Bill Gearhart there.
Arlene decided to enlist in the US Army WAC program and served as a medic. She was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Percy Jones in Battle Creek, and Long Island, New York. She married William R. Gearhart on January 6, 1946 while they were both serving in the military during World War II.
After she and Bill were both honorably discharged from the military, they returned to settle in Ithaca where she worked for the Wolverine Shoe Factory. Arlene loved being a wife, homemaker, and mother. In 1956 she and Bill owned and operated Gearhart’s Oak Grove Resort in Houghton Lake until selling it in 1972.
Arlene is survived by her daughter, Karen (Terry) Nestle; son, Scott (Kathy) Gearhart of Twin Lake; grandchildren Stephanie (Kevin) Howes, Sarah and Tess Gearhart; great granddaughters Madelyn and Britney Howes; and two special nieces Cyndi (Fortney) Roslund and Mary Kay (Woodbury) Dicken; and many other nieces and nephews.
Arlene is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents George and Beatrice Fortney, her sister Margaret, two brothers Donald and Earl Fortney, and her grandson Kyle Nestle.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Visitation will be 2-6pm Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 11am November 1, 2019 at the Ithaca Church of God, visitation will be held prior to the funeral at the church from 10am - 11am. Pastor Tom Whitsel will officiate and burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Ithaca Senior Activity Building or to the Ithaca Church of God. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.