Arlene Betty Wallis, age 100, formerly of Hesperia, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at the Harbor Hospice Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence in Muskegon. Arlene was born September 18,1922 in Toulan, Illinois to Glen and Kathryn (Lehman) Dunham. At age three she moved to White Cloud, Michigan. Her family had a comfortable life in their home in White Cloud, until her dad, Glen Dunham, a mechanic, lost his auto repair business in 1932, as a result of the Great Depression. She always said "It made me what I am - strong and independent". In spite of poverty, Arlene says the family always ate well, because they had a large garden, raised livestock, hunted, and fished in the Muskegon River. After graduation from White Cloud High School, she worked at Continental Motors in Muskegon. This is where she met her first husband, Rodney Arthur Patterson. They were married on July 14,1944, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and he was deployed overseas on October 26,1944 to fight in World War II. He was killed in action at Metz, Germany on November 28,1944. He never knew Arlene was carrying their son, James "Jim" Rodney Patterson, who was born on June 23, 1945. When Jim was two years old, Arlene pursued a degree in Cosmetology. She worked odd jobs as a secretary, until she met Myron "Mike" James Wallis, also a widower, with son, Brian. They were married on November 13,1948, in Ontonagon, Michigan, in their red plaid hunting suits. Ralph and Ruby (Wallis) Anderson were their witnesses. Brian was nine years of age, and Jim was three years of age at the time of their marriage. Over the next eight years, they were blessed with six additional children; Karen, Carole, Mary, Ruby, William "Bill: and Richard "Dick". When Dick was eight, Mom entered the work force again, working as a cook in Whitehall Schools. A year later, she went to work at Misco (Howmet Aerospace), where she worked for nineteen years. During this time, another tragedy in Arlene's life was the death of her son, Jim, who was in a tragic car/train accident on August 14,1968, at a young age of twenty-three. Around 1983, while attending Bible Baptist Church, Mike and Arlene both accepted Christ in their hearts, after hearing a wonderful message from Pastor Lockwood. They were then baptized at a later date. Arlene had to leave Misco in September 1985, to care for Mike, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Mom again showed her strength, compassion, and loving nature, caring for Dad in their home until his death on December 16, 1986. In the summer of 1990-1991, Arlene went to work on Mackinac Island as House-Mother (cleaning lady) for the men's dorm. They loved that she even sewed curtains for all the windows for them! After being diagnosed and having surgery for colon cancer, Arlene finally retired and began to travel with family and friends. She traveled to Hawaii, Florida, Wyoming, Maine and many more places. Her four daughters took her on yearly trips for 16 years (2002-2017), which she enjoyed so much. Her children remember mom as being a kind, giving, hard-working mother. She was always in the kitchen baking, cooking, canning. She also sewed many of our clothes and pajamas. Mom could play the piano by ear with no sheet music at all. She would listen to a song and just start playing it. Our favorites were the Navy Theme Song - although she could play all military songs. Mom could also sing and dance – oh, how she loved to dance! For the past eleven years, Mother has been living with and cared for by her children, due to dementia resulting from a stroke. She was enjoyed by her eight children, 23 grandchildren, 44 great and 13 great-great grandchildren, and many others who were touched by her. Mother amazed us all with her humor, quick wit, instant smiles, her positive attitude, endless singing and talking, and ability to play Herbie (card game) and aggravation (marbles). Mom LOVED ice cream! She never turned down an ice cream cone and shortly after finishing one, she was ready for another! She saw beauty in everything from stones, shells, acorn hulls, sticks, leaves and wildflowers. We are forever grateful for the time God gave her to us. Arlene is survived by her children, Brian Wallis; Karen (Dan) Wicks: Carole (Terry Brady) Kennedy; Mary (Jerry) Johnson; Ruby (Dick) Boyd; Bill (Pat) Wallis; Dick (Judy) Wallis; 23 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; her sister, Jean (Clifford) Plowman; sisters-in-laws, Lois Dunham and Charlotte Dunham; many nieces and nephews. Arlene was preceded in death by her husbands, Rodney A. Patterson on November 28, 1944 and Myron Wallis on December 16, 1986; her son, James R. Patterson on August 14, 1968; her sisters and brothers, Carolyn Grow, Louise Linderer, Don Dunham, Leonard Dunham, Chuck Dunham, Bob Dunham, Larry Dunham; her daughter-in-law, Pauline Wallis VISITATION : Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm at the Faith Baptist Church 7729 W 48th Street Fremont MI 49412. FUNERAL SERVICES : Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Faith Baptist Church in Fremont. MEMORIAL CONTRIUTIONS : Harbor Hospice for the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence in memory of Arlene. INTERMENT : Big Prairie Everett Township Cemetery. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Wallis family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel 231-924-0800 To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Arlene Betty Wallis, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation Faith Baptist Church Saturday, February 18, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM 7729 W 48th Street Fremont, MI 49412 Funeral Service Faith Baptist Church Saturday, February 18, 2023 1:00 PM 7729 W 48th Street Fremont, MI 49412