Obituary

Arlene Reba (Turner) Lonnecker, resident of Polo Park in Davenport Florida, formerly of Pasadena California passed away on May 22nd while in hospice care at the age of 93 years.

Born in Huntington Park on May 7th, 1923, Arlene was an accomplished woman with a large and loving family, and a rich history of patriotism and support to her family and country. As a youth, Arlene excelled in all of the things expected of a young woman of her time; she believed in household arts such as sewing, dancing, cooking and such, she always presented herself sharply even late into life and she pursued life with an enviable vigor. Arlene would go into everything full bore, she poured countless hours and love into hobbies such as travel, photography, stamp collecting, her spoon collection or just anything that she put her mind to.

The love of her life, Bill Lonnecker, with whom she spent over 50 wonderful years, passed several years ago. Arlene kept the home fires burning while Bill fought in our nation's wars, serving in multiple services over a long military career, ultimately retiring as a Field Grade Officer in the Air Force. The love shared between Bill and Arlene can still be seen in their letters and photos from over the years, Bill writing from the South Pacific in World War II or various other posts around the world; Arlene always supporting her deployed Soldier and maintaining the family, teaching her children dance and prose, handwriting and most important of all, love.

A few years ago, something completely shocking to Arlene happened, she fell in love with the second amazing man in her life, Francis George. Their time together was short, but they shared a love that was amazing to behold.

Arlene loved to live. She showed amazing skill at any pursuit that she laid her heart on. It's long been said that crowds would part when Bill and Arlene hit the dance floor, their ballroom dancing was so effortless due not only to their skill, but the love they shared for one another. She was always very proud of her driving ability, having been taught to drive by her brother, you'd think that she spent time on a stock car track. I can remember riding with her in her Lincoln when she was in her late 80s, perched atop a pillow so she could see over the steering wheel, and taking ninety degree turns at 40 mph—giggling the entire way! It was through many protests that actually rode a horse at 89 years old—there was NO stopping her if she put her mind to something.

Arlene went to amazing lengths to keep her family together and to ensure nobody was left behind even in the face of death or divorce. She maintained close relationships with her six grandchildren, and even her sons ex-wife for decades, despite distance and time. She truly was the glue that held so many of us together, and brought many of us together for a Turner/Lonnecker family reunion.

Arlene is survived by her children, Judith and William and her grandchildren Michelle, Sean, James, Daniel, Richard and Nicole and too many great-grandchildren to name. Her memory lives in each of us, and if any of us can live a life half as long and proud as hers, we'll be doing well.

Arlene and her much loved canine companion, Anna, will be interred with her husband of over fifty years, William S Lonnecker, at Arlington National Cemetery at Fort Myer, Virginia.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arlene Reba Lonnecker, please visit our flower store.

Services

Celebration of Life Memorial Service

June

4

Clubhouse at Polo Park

4144 Deer Moss Drive, Clermont, FL 34714

Starts at 2:00 pm

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