Marilee

Arnold

Marilee Arnold, 71, passed away on Friday, November 06, 2026, at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Bedford, Indiana. Born September 29, 1955, in St. Louis, MO, she was the daughter of George and Dorothy (Griffin) Arnold.

Raised in Granite City, Illinois, Marilee attended school at Mitchell Elementary School, Prather Junior High School, and graduated from Granite City High School, with the class of 1973. She attended The Hickey School of Fashion Merchandising, and after graduation worked at Nieman Marcus, specializing in children’s clothing. She continued her career as an office manager for a local St. Louis dentist. She ultimately retired from Amazon in Whitestown, Indiana.

Marilee enjoyed making, buying, and selling jewelry. She had a distinct eye for design and created many unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. She loved a good thrift store where she could find the best deals on vintage clothes, jewelry, and antiques. She cared for her great nephew Wesley Arnold, while his parents worked for about three years. Wesley and Marilee had a very special bond. She devoted much of her time volunteering at the Men’s Warming Shelter. She loved coming up with new recipes of dump cakes and casseroles to share with the shelter guests. She made many great friendships with the guests and volunteers alike. She was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Marilee is survived by her brother, Larry (Karen) Arnold, and her sister Martha Arnold-Turner. Family includes nephews, Nick (Jessica) Arnold, and children Lydia and Addison Collins and Bayne Arnold of Fairborn, Ohio; Ryan (Trisha) Turner and son Maxwell Turner of Williams, IN; Greg (Chiharu) Arnold and son Curtis Arnold of Hahira, Georgia; Timothy (Gracie Tislow) Arnold of Bedford, IN; and Stephen (Gabrielle) Arnold and sons Anthony Maldonado and Wesley Arnold of Bedford, IN. Goddaughters Nicole (James) Berry and daughter Eliza Berry of St. Louis, Missouri; and Jessica (Jason) Parker, and children Jase, June, and Jonah Parker of Lake Charles, Louisiana. She is survived by several cousins, including Marlyn Sanders of Bedford, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts.

There will be a celebration of life at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, November 15, 2026, with visitation at 1:30pm, and a service at 2:30pm. Marilee will be buried on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Sebastian Cemetery, Fredericktown, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Men’s Warming Shelter, 1414 H Street, Bedford, Indiana 47421.

Marilee’s family would like to thank the staff of Westview Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation for taking care of her during this time. Also, thank you to Southern Care Hospice for making her last days easier. Thank you to Ferguson-Lee Chapelfor the kind and compassionate care they have shown us.

The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been entrusted with the care of Marilee Arnonld and her family during this difficult time.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FergusonLee.com.