Arlene Briggs-Rex

When reflecting on the life of Arlene Briggs-Rex, it is easy to see that her family was the light of her life. She was an active woman of many interests, but what made the things she enjoyed all the better was sharing them with the ones she loved. Never one to worry about the things of this world, Arlene was content in whatever life brought, equal embracing both the peaks and the valleys along her lifes journey. A woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, she will be deeply missed while her friends and loved ones forever treasure her memory.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties, however, the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and countless American families lost everything they had. Despite the challenges around them, Benton and Lavinia (Scripter) Fruchey were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as summer appeared on the horizon in May of 1931. The big day finally arrived on May 28th when they were blessed with the birth of the baby girl they named Arlene June.

Born and raised in Wolf Lake, Indiana, Arlene was one of four children and was raised as a farm girl alongside her siblings, Jean, Joe, and Joan. Her family owned a dairy farm just outside of Columbia City, located very close to Big Lake. Arlene didnt like having to get up early to milk the cows, and with the added responsibilities of the farm there was little time for school events or social clubs. The Fruchey family lived in a log cabin that was built by her grandfather, and it was well known that they had the draftiest and coldest house known to man. In fact, they often joked that the gaps between the logs were nearly large enough to throw a brick through!

After graduating from Wolf Lake High School, Arlene moved to Fort Wayne where she took a job as a waitress at Don Halls. It was working in a subsequent job at a local inn and restaurant that she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Richard Dick Briggs, and he was a sailor in the United States Navy from Coesse, Indiana. Sparks flew right from the start, and the couple soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Arlene and Dick were married on March 4, 1953. Together they were blessed with the births of three boys, Robert K., Richard E., and Stephen B. Sadly, Robert died as an infant.

Both Arlene and Dick loved traveling, and this naturally led to one of their favorite family activities - camping. They started out in tents, but over the years they owned a number of travel trailers and campers that took them all over the country. Over time, the Briggs family made it to over 30 states including Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida. When Steve was only a young boy of four or five, he caused quite a commotion when he was sitting in the drivers seat of the family car with the 15 foot blue and white travel trailer attached and engaged the shift knob to reverse. Of course he ended up smashing the back of the car into the front of the camper trailer! There were numerous trips when they visited Civil War sites around the country including Fort Pulaski in Georgia, which instilled within their sons a deep love for American history as well as for their country. Their most memorable trips were the many times they visited Yellowstone National Park.

From the moment she became a mother, Arlene fully embraced the enormity of the task. She didnt work outside the home once here sons were toddlers as being there for them was always her primary focus. Arlene was actively involved in her sons lives including as a Scout mom when her boys were in Webelos and part of the PTA at their school. Although her cooking skills werent the greatest, Arlene always made sure there was a hot meal on the table for her boys. In 1997, Arlenes world drastically changed with Dicks sudden death.

New and exciting changes were in store for Arlene when she met Howard Rex while doing one of her favorite things - bowling. They got to know one another, and over time they fell in love and were married in 1999. They loved bowling together, and they also frequently traveled to visit Arlenes grandchildren. Arlene and Howard also made regular trips to Florida. Just seven years after they were married, Arlene was deeply saddened again with his sudden death while on vacation in Alaska with the Briggs family.

Although caring for her family was always first and foremost in Arlenes life, she enriched her journey in other ways as well. She was a longtime member of the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Elks Lodge and the American Legion. Once her boys were moved out, Arlene really took to gardening, and she also kept busy quilting and reading, primarily thrillers like those from Tom Clancy. More than ever before, Arlene treasured her grandchildren during her last days.

With unending love for her family, Arlene Briggs-Rex was such a blessing to everyone who was within her reach. She was a woman of great strength and courage, who faced whatever came her way with the strength that was firmly rooted in her unwavering faith. A longtime resident of the community she loved, Arlene was the sort of person everyone wanted to know. She will never be forgotten.

Arlene Briggs-Rex, 84, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 10:35 p.m. at her home. Arlenes family includes her sons, Richard Fuzzy (Sharon) Briggs of Columbia City, Stephen (Karen) Briggs of Huntington; five grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Jean Brown of Indianapolis, Joe Fruchey of Arizona, and Joan Geiger of Columbia City. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and her infant son, Robert.

Visitation will be Friday, October 2, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr. Columbia City. The funeral will be Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Tom Beers will officiate. Burial will follow at Union Township Cemetery in Coesse. Memorial contributions be given in Arlenes name and directed toward Wounded Warrior Project.