Arlene Joanne Heberlein

With sorrow we share the news that Arlene Heberlein, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 15, 2022. She had been in hospice care for several days at her home and was surrounded by her daughters. She was 88 years old.

Arlene was a delight to know. She was gentle and caring and always had a smile to share along with words of encouragement. Beneath that exterior was a strong and solid faith combined with a keen intellect. This was evidenced even as a young teen when Arlene spent a year as a refugee living in the American Embassy in Poland as she sought asylum and ultimately to return home to her siblings in the US.

Once home, she attended the University of Chicago where she received a Bachelor’s in Library Science. There she met and married her husband Ernst Mueller. Later they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she got a Master’s in English at the University of Michigan, and had two daughters, Lisa Elizabeth and Kathlyne Jessica. After Ernst returned to Germany, Arlene returned to school for a second Master’s in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University, and began teaching at Fowlerville High School. During this period, Arlene met and married Walter Heberlein. Arlene moved to Haslett, closer to Fowlerville, where she lived until her death. Walt retired to Florida. In Haslett she found her spiritual and social home in the Okemos Community Church, Meridian Senior Center and the Maple Ridge Condo Association.

Family, friends and community were always deeply important to Arlene. She kept in close contact with her siblings and extended family in Chicago making several trips a year for reunion picnics, births, deaths, graduations and weddings.

The retired special education teacher continued to learn and assist others throughout her life. She was involved in many social activities and supported numerous local, national and international charities. Right up to the end Arlene was clear headed and conversant. She passed peacefully at home with her daughters caring for her.

Arlene loved birds and delighted in watching them at the garden feeder. Shortly before her death she told her girls when they saw a cardinal to think of her. As Pastor Rick was visiting with them the morning of Arlene’s death, a female cardinal landed on the deck and remained there, coming close to the sliding glass door.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Arlene will be held Saturday, July 2nd at 11am at Okemos Community Church with a luncheon to follow in the Social Hall. Memorial gifts in honor of Arlene will be for the church. Arlene will be interred in the church memorial columbarium garden.