Arlene Harkey

Arlene Rachford Harkey

Arlene R. Harkey, 90 of Kirksville passed away Tuesday morning (January 28, 2014) at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

The daughter of Loren Alfonzo Rachford and Marie (Melson) Rachford, she was the youngest of eight born on February 15, 1923 in Kirksville, MO.

Arlene was united in marriage to George M. Harkey Sr. on April 3, 1946 in Kirksville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband on December 12, 1996 after a long happy marriage to whom three children were born; two sons, Jerry Rachford Harkey on February 4, 1992 and George M. Harkey Jr in 2008; a grandson, Brandon Randall Henness on August 25, 1973; five brothers, Herbert (Lucille), Virgil (Mary), Harold, Paul (Ursal) and Deverne; two sisters, Mildred Fletcher (Virgil) and Kathyleen Doggett (Odell); and a brother-in-law, Jim Harkey (Ruth).

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Penny Kay (Harkey) Henness; son-in-law, John W. White; grandchildren, Stacey Thomas (Sean), Lexey Westhoff (Glen), Robb Harkey, and Christine Johnson (Antwan); great grandchildren, Seth and Skyler Thomas; Ally and Gunner True, Grant Westhoff, Kennede and Kennison Johnson; son-in-law, Randy Henness; daughter-in-law, Catherine Harkey; and several nieces and nephews.

Arlene lived on several small farms, last was in Millard, MO. She attended country school until High School where she graduated from Kirksville High School. She worked for Senator Cloy and Ann Whitney, Herman’s Women Clothing, JC Penney and during WW II she was a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. After her marriage she moved to her current resident in Kirksville.

Arlene was married to the love of her life and kept busy with her three children. She was co-sponsor for M.Y.F at First United Methodist Church. Arlene and her neighbors, Dr. and Mrs. Fowler started the fund raiser for the first Kirksville Municipal swimming pool. She was involved with her children’s activities as homeroom mother and Boy Scout den mother. Arlene was a kid magnet, loving her children and all their friends, grandchildren and the spicy great grandchildren. Arlene was considered by her children as “the best mother in the world”.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday (February 1, 2014) with a memorial service to be held at 2:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle- Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens. Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or American Heart Association