Dorothy Arliene Noble, 96, died peacefully, on Aug 30, at home in Clinton Township. A former resident of Kalkaska County, Arliene was born at Vermontville on Jul 31, 1913. She was one of four children - and the only daughter- of the late Charles A. and Dora (Rawson) Wells.
When she was young, her father farmed near Sigma and logged winters in the U.P. around Rudyard.
In order to attend Kalkaska High School, she moved into town and lived with her older brother, Minor, who for many years, was the town's barber.
Arliene's brother, John farmed acreage at the corner of Tyler and Saunders Rds, southeast of town. Her brother Charles (Junior) also barbered at various shops in the Detroit area and elsewhere.
She received a teaching certificate from the County Normal School in 1933, after which she began her long career at the Tyler School where she taught students of all ages, in a one -room schoolhouse.
Arliene married Vergil E Noble of Deeford, LA, on Jun 15, 1937, after which they began to raise a family in South Boardman, on an old ginseng farm.
In the early 1940s, the moved to Mt Clemens, MI, later living in various suburban communities around Detroit - where her husband worked as a crane operator for the Budd Wheel Company.
Arliene taught elementary and special education classes for the Van Dyke School District at schools in Warren and Center Line. She retired in 1975, after nearly 30 years of service. She was well liked and admired by her students, many of whom came to visit with her years after they were grown.
After her husband passed away in 1991, she sold her house in Sterling Heights and moved into an assisted living apartment in Westland.
Her final years were lived in Clinton Township, with the family of granddaughter Rachele Bricachek. Although Arliene left Kalkaska more than 60 years ago, she returned regularly for family visits - always considering it to be her true home.
Alriene is survived by her four children; Dennis L (Loren) Noble of Sequim, WA, Sandra K Frank of Dearborn, Charlene S (Kevin) Pantak of Mt Clemens, and Vergil E (Carolyn) Noble Jr of Ashland, NE.
She is also survived by several nephews, including Dale and Larry Wells of Kalkaska County. Arliene leaves six grandchildren; Therese (Kevin) Schutte, Kathleen (Mark) Ritten, Patrick Noble, Rachele (Scott) Brichacek, Joe Frank and Kelly Salin (Charles) Aikens; 12 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren and hundreds of former students.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers and one great grandson.
She will be remembered as a dedicated teacher, a devoted caretaker to those in need and a lover of animals.
Arliene was also an avid reader, gardener and lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers. Though her life was full and rewarding, she will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Interment takes place Sep 5, 2009, at the Cadillac Memorial Gardens-East in Clinton Township, where she will be reunited with her husband of nearly 54 years.
