Mary Arnold

Mary Catherine Arnold, age 85 of Niles, Michigan died Monday, May 19, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles unexpectedly but following an extended illness. She was born August 22, 1928 in Niles to Joseph & Catherine (Fettic) Bechtel.

Mary graduated from Niles High School in 1946. She was employed by Niles Community Schools as lunch hostess at Oak Manor School for over 20 years and also a homemaker all the while. Mary was a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles and active in the Christian Mothers group. She was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed baking, board games and visiting the beach.

On September 11, 1948 at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, Mary married Norman Arnold, who survives with their children Kim Arnold of Union City, Georgia, Kay O’Connor of Niles, Kerry (& Mary Ann) Arnold of Niles and Kreg (& Delphine) Arnold of Rolling Prairie, Indiana. Also surviving are grandchildren, Ryan (& Kelly) Huling of Dowagiac, Richard Porter of Niles and Jordan Arnold of Niles, great-grandchildren Faith, Mara & Zeb and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Catherine Arnold will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2014 at Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles by The Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of the parish. Committal Rites will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-7:00p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary beginning at 7:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church, Niles.