Arpha Slinkard

Arpha Slinkard was born Aug. 10, 1933, to Charley Edward and Lillian Rhodes Sitzes at Bessville, Missouri, and passed away Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at her home in Fredericktown, Missouri.

Arpha was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Charley Sitzes; brother-in-law, Delmer Hanners; and honorary granddaughter Fallon Foss.

Arpha is survived by her husband Hobert Slinkard, whom she married in 1953; two sons, Daniel Gale (Lisa) Slinkard and David Edward (Jan) Slinkard; three grandchildren, Tara (Randy) LaChance, Joshua (Jessica) Slinkard and Janna (William) Sartin; two honorary, grandchildren, Cassie Foss and India Foss; four great-grandchildren, Cameron Slinkard, Cayden Slinkard, Aaron Sartin and Katherine Sartin; honorary great-grandchild Riley Hawkins; one sister, Dorothy Hanners; one brother, Carl (Carol) Sitzes; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Sitzes; and many loved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Arpha graduated from Patton (Missouri) High School and attended Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau. She was employed as a secretary/office manager for engineering firms in St. Louis and Tennessee, and for Schnapp, Graham, Reid Law Firm of Fredericktown.

She owned and operated Ellen's Apparel for 12 years, promoting fashion coordination and hometown shopping in Fredericktown.

Arpha retired after 11 years as human-resource director for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Cottonwood Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was a former pianist/organist for Free Will Baptist churches in St. Louis, Nashville and Missouri. Arpha was a member of the Red Hatters, Arthritis Foundation, NSPSSM, and various charities. She was also an active advocate for saving Social Security, Medicare and workers' rights.

Visitation was held Tuesday at the Follis and Sons Funeral Home in Fredericktown.

Funeral service was held Wednesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Wayne Phillips officiating, with interment at Patton Cemetery.