Leatrice J. Arnett

Leatrice Joyce "Lee" (Muckridge) Arnett, 83, of New Paris, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, September 21, 2015. Born on September 1, 1932, to Glenn Elmer Muckridge Sr. and Minnie Rachel (Loper) Muckridge in Middleboro, Indiana, she was raised by her grandparents Elmer and Pearl Loper. She was a 1950 graduate of Kitchel High School in Kitchel, Indiana, where she was a cheerleader for the Kitchel Cowboys. She met the man of her dreams M. James "Jim" Arnett at a 50/50 dance at Jefferson High School in New Paris and they were married on July 13, 1952. Their faith and love carried them through 63 years of marriage. Lee worked for the Palladium-Item in Richmond, Indiana, and was very proud of the fact she could type over 110 words per minute on a manual typewriter. She stayed home to raise her children, and after they were both in school, she worked as a "Cafeteria Lady" at the Jefferson Elementary School and later the National Trail School District. She enjoyed working in the yard, collecting dolls, sewing, latch hooking rugs, showing pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to anyone who would look at them, and treating her family to pizza. She faithfully followed the Cincinnati Reds through the seasons and loved to cheer them on in person or on the radio or TV. Jim and Lee were members of the original board at New Creations in Richmond, Indiana. She was a member of Covenant of Peace Church in Eaton where she loved to sing and was active in the Handmaidens. In addition to her parents, Glenn Muckridge Sr. (1973) and Rachel Chapman (1982), she was preceded in death by an infant daughter Vicky LaVonne Arnett (1957), a brother, Glenn E. Muckridge Jr. (2012), and step-mother, Conva M. (Willoughby) Muckridge (2003). Lee is survived by her loving husband and patient caretaker, Jim; Son, Steven and wife Crystal Arnett of Liberty, South Carolina, Daughter, Stefanie and husband Philip Price of Eaton; Grandchildren, Jeromy Arnett & wife Chari and Shawn Arnett of Liberty, South Carolina, Rebecca & husband Kelly Pruss of Stanley, Wisconsin, and BJ & wife Cathy Price of Eaton; Great-grandchildren, Lillie Arnett, Alex, Matthew, Anna, & Emily Pruss, and Jimmy, Sammy, & Johnny Price; Step-great-grandchild, Emily Smith; half-brothers, Robert & wife Cindy Muckridge of Carmel, Indiana, and James & wife Joyce Muckridge of Missouri City, Texas, sister-in-law Sue Muckridge of Richmond, Indiana, and very special friend Jeanne (Stevens) Hubbard of Liberty, Indiana. The family will receive friends and family on Monday, September 28th from 5 to 8 pm and 1 hour prior to the service at Covenant of Peace Church, 4745 State Route 127 North, Eaton. Funeral service will be at the Church, 10 am, Tuesday, September 29th with Pastor Ken Harbaum and Pastor Raymond Rothwell officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant of Peace Church or Hospice of Dayton. Burial is in Spring Lawn Cemetery, New Paris. Arrangements are entrusted to Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center, West Alexandria, Ohio. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Leatrice J. Arnett please visit our Sympathy Store.

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