Arlyn Heider

Arlyn N. Heider, 98, of Jackson was called to celebrate Christ's birthday in heaven. Listening to "Away in a Manger," with family by her side, she peacefully passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

One of four children, Arlyn was born May 5, 1917, north of Fruitland, to Charles F. and Lizzie Shults Hoffman. She and Albert F. Heider were married Sept. 6, 1936, at St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland. They had been married 44 years when Albert passed away April 20, 1981.

Arlyn was a graduate of the former Fruitland High School. She worked several years at the former shoe factory in Jackson and several years at the former Merry Lea Animal Clinic (Drs. Thomas Wills II and Nelson Stone) in Jackson, retiring in the 1970s. She was a longtime member of St. John's United Church of Christ.

Arlyn was well known for her love of horses and her skill for riding, training and showing. In her own beautiful handwriting, she penned many special memories about the times she shared with her horses and of other high and low points in her life. She enjoyed gospel music and was known for her talent of playing the mandolin, an instrument she purchased from the Sears-Roebuck catalog, when she was about 17 years old.

When her granddaughter, Lisa, came along, she stole Arlyn's heart. The two were practically inseparable, and just like Ruth, Lisa soon found herself riding and enjoying horses and music as much as Grandma. Arlyn was truly a passionate, intelligent, well-thought, well-spoken and fashionable lady.

Loving survivors include a daughter, Ruth Ann (Darrell W.) Sander of Jackson; a granddaughter, Lisa (Jeff) Craft of Jackson; a great-granddaughter, Alisha (Ben) McMillan of Pensacola, Florida; a special helper and dear friend, Evelyn Wiseman of Whitewater; and several other dear friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three siblings, Viola (Jude) Wedekind, Virgie Hoffman and Archie C. (Edith) Hoffman.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland.

The funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. David Schaffner officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard, Roy, Ralph and Ronald Walther, Randy Ludwig and Brian Schoenebeck. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Craft, Ben McMillan Dr. Nelson Stone, Don Sander, Jerry King and Bobby Abernathy.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. John's United Church of Christ.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.