July 18, 1927 – December 4, 2023
Marian Virginia Arthur, 96, Westfield, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, December 4, 2023, at Maple Park Village in Westfield. She was born on July 18, 1927, the third of four daughters to the late Orville Wilber Millikan and Edna Gail (Barker) Millikan. Marian graduated from Sheridan High School in 1945.
Following high school graduation, she worked as a secretary until she married Paul Eugene Arthur in 1947. She remained at home while raising two sons. She returned to work at Curtis Manufacturing when the boys were in high school. Marian was a gifted seamstress, and it was not unusual for her to decide late on Saturday night she wanted a new dress for Sunday morning. She made many prom dresses, wedding dresses, curtains, drapes, tablecloths, placemats, and also reupholstered furniture. When grandchildren started arriving her focus turned to children’s clothing. She always wanted a little girl, so when her first granddaughter was born, her sewing machine was cranking out dresses almost daily. She babysat for her 3-year-old granddaughter one weekend and when her parents came to pick her up, Marian had made her 17 pairs of pajamas.
Marian was active at Westfield Methodist Church, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and participated on many committees. She loved live music, loved to dance including tap dancing, square dancing, the Charleston, and participated in many talent shows. She sang with the Sweet Adelines for many years and always made the costumes for the national competitions. She acted in community theater plays at The Belfry in Noblesville.
Marian was an amazing cook. She hosted the family Thanksgiving dinner, preparing all the food for over 40 people and managed to keep the pans and the kitchen spotless as she cooked. And naturally, she made new placemats for the holiday meal.
After her sons graduated from high school, she moved to Champaign, Ill., when her husband was transferred. She hosted foreign exchange students and professors from the University of Illinois. She worked as a custom drapery seamstress. She also began competing in Marathons around age 45 and enjoyed jogging until the age of 72, acquiring the nickname “Jogging Grandma” by her grandchildren. She retired to Venice, Fla., for several years loving the Florida sun until returning to Westfield in 2006, shortly after great-grandchildren began to be born. It was her first great-grandchild that called her Boom, which became her new nickname that the entire family and friends began to call her. Marian was always active, but what she loved most were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. According to her, her grandchildren were perfect.
Always full of life, she was witty and loved to pull pranks and play jokes on unsuspecting friends and family. She knew how to deliver a line and probably could have been a great comedian. She was still making us laugh until she was no longer able to communicate. She will be missed dearly.
Boom is survived by two sons, Alan Gene (Jennifer) Arthur and P. Douglas Arthur; six grandchildren, Allison (Rocky) Lehman, Zachary Arthur, Alexis (Josh) Lowry, Zane Arthur, Wade (Jazmin) Arthur, and Brandon Arthur; 13 great-grandchildren; Sela, Miles, Leo, Liam, Elliott, Ania, Lucy, Melody, Dominic, Eryn, Harrison, Remington, and Brazzus; sister, Annabelle Tschiemer; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Edna Millikan; sisters, Harriett Garrett and Orpha Sparks; and her ex-husband, Paul Arthur.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Boom’s life at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the HeartPointe Church in Hortonville, 445 E. 206th St., Sheridan.
Many thanks to Sanders Glen, Maple Park Village, and Heart to Heart Hospice for the TLC and keeping Marian comfortable during her last days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HeartPointe Church or a charity of your choice.
Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com