Obituary for
Florence Evelyn Arnold (Crane)
MUNCIE, IN – Florence Arnold, 99, passed away peacefully January 11, 2018 at Westminster Village, Muncie, IN. She was born February 4, 1918, in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of Arthur B. Crane and Florence McConnon Crane, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She began piano lessons as a young girl and continued playing and teaching piano her entire life. While attending the University of Chicago, she had the opportunity to provide piano accompaniment for a handsome young baritone, Frank Arnold Jr., whom she married in 1939. Frank went on to seminary and was ordained as a Baptist pastor. With the start of World War II Frank became a military chaplain to the troops in Europe. As a military wife, Florence traveled with her family to many places around the world. After Frank’s death in 1965, Florence settled in Muncie, IN. She received her Bachelors’ Degree from Ball State University in 1970, majoring in English and minoring in piano performance. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, Muncie, for many years, and taught the Friendship adult Sunday School class. She was a member of Mu Phi music honorary and taught piano lessons in her home from 1965 until her retirement in 1999.
Florence is survived by three children: Louise Eddington, Jean (Gene) Cirak, and Frank Arnold III; five grandchildren: Robert Jelani Eddington, Frank (Kristen) Arnold IV, Michael (Jenna) Arnold, Brooke Arnold, and Sarah (Christian) Jalbert; four great-grandchildren, and a host of very dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank Arnold Jr., three brothers and two sisters.
Florence will be remembered as a warm, loving woman who had a strong faith, an always-positive attitude, and a love of God, family, friends, and piano music.
Words are not adequate to express our gratitude for the loving care she was given by the nursing and other staff at Westminster Village and also from Great Lakes Caring hospice.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Garden View Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.gardenviewfuneralhome.com
