Arlene McDonald
Arlene McDonald, 95, of Onaway, died at home Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The daughter of Clarence and Duretta (Goodrich) Kimball, Arlene was born August 3, 1926 in Pontiac. At a young age Arlene contracted tuberculosis and had to leave her family to live with her grandparents for a period of time.
On August 15, 1943 Arlene Kimball and LaVoy McDonald were united in marriage. They made their home in Millersburg. After their fifth child was born, Arlene contracted polio and was hospitalized in Traverse City for many months, some of the time of which was in an iron lung. When she returned home they had their sixth child and bought a farm in Ocqueoc.
Arlene was strong in her Christian faith and was a member of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ in Onaway. She was very active in her church all of her life.
Many will remember Arlene as the “Avon Lady” and have fond memories of her visits to their homes to deliver Avon products. She also worked at Essex Wire in Atlanta, Michigan for a time where she was quite good at her job with a knack for training others. Arlene loved to sew, crochet, and was a master of quilt making. After establishing her new home in Onaway, she created beautiful flower gardens around her home and made an array of special friendships in her new community.
Surviving Arlene are her children, Clarence “Mike” (Karen)
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Duretta Kimball; her husband, LaVoy “Pat”; an infant son, Victor Dean McDonald; two grandchildren, Michael and Jennie; sister, Tillie Merchant; and two brothers, Milton and George Kimball.
Visitation and funeral services were held last week at the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ with High Priest Denise Pauly officiating. Arlene’s final resting place is at Hillcrest Cemetery in Onaway. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Arlene to her church, Remnant Church of Jesus Christ.
