Arline Woosley

Travel, adventure, and her love and generosity toward others embodied Arline’s zest for life.  For over 95 years, she was curious, optimistic, and interested in learning something new each and every day! 

She passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Arline Lillian Boeckel was born in Red Bank, New Jersey on February 28, 1928. As a daughter of a World War I and WWII officer in the Marines, she had the opportunity to grow up in multiple cities:  Red Bank, NJ; Brooklyn, NY; Boston, MA; and Norfolk, VA.  She loved school, excelled in academics, and was especially proud of winning the 8th grade spelling bee in the Boston, MA area!  She also achieved a life long goal of receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University in 1980. 

It was in Norfolk, VA  at a USO dance where Arline met the love of her life, Kirby Woosley.  They exchanged letters throughout WWII.  After the war, they were married in Wisconsin in 1946.   As a Navy wife, she lived in multiple cities within the U.S.  The family also served overseas tours in Italy and Morocco before returning to the U.S. in 1960 to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Arline had a long career in the Federal Government, serving in several different administrative positions:  with the Federal Aviation Administration at the Kent County Airport, the Department of Defense in Fairfax, VA, and at March Air Force Base (AFB) and Norton AFB in Southern California. Upon her retirement, Arline and Kirby traveled extensively until Kirby’s passing in 2004.  

Arline cherished family celebrations and get-togethers. She enjoyed traveling with her daughters on their annual long weekend, shopping getaways all over the country.  She was passionate about fashion! She loved to shop and often received praise for her attire and home decor. Arline never met a gift shop she didn’t like! 

She was affectionately addressed as Mom, Auntie Arline, Grammy, GiGi, and Triple G by family members. She is survived by 28  family members: 

Son Wayne Woosley and Sue Fry -  Battle Creek and East Leroy, MI

Granddaughter Melissa Woosley -  Kalamazoo, MI

Great Granddaughter Corinne Mack - Springfield, MI

Great Grandson Cameron Grossman - Kalamazoo, MI

Granddaughter Kimberly Woosley and Chris Davidson - Norman, OK

Daughter and Son-inLaw, Susan and Kirk Rich - Grand Rapids, MI

Grandson and Wife, Larry and Janice Rich - Grand Rapids, MI

Great Grandson Larry Rich - Grand Rapids, MI

Great Granddaughter Simone Rich - Grand Rapids, MI

Great Granddaughter Marissa Rich - Grand Rapids, MI

Daughter and Son-inLaw, Jayne and Ray James - Kansas City, MO

Grandson Saunder James and Partner Robert Ferguson, - Melbourne, Australia

Grandson Morgan James and Megan Dykeman - Independence, MO

Granddaughter Jana James - Hutchinson, KS

Grandson and Wife Corey and Dawn James -  Buhler, KS

Great Granddaughter Marley James - Buhler, KS

Great Grandson and Wife Jesse and Nicole James - Buhler, KS

Great, Great Grandson Harrison James - Buhler, KS. 

Nephew David Boeckel - Atlantic Highlands, NJ

She was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.  Arline held the position of Worthy Matron for the Order of the Eastern Star in Grand Rapids, and as a member of the Eastern Star chapter in Rockford, MI.  She also served as a member of the Grand Chapter and was a very active supporter and past Guardian of the Job’s Daughters Bethel #10 in Grand Rapids.

A graveside service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road in Augusta, MI on December 8 at 11:00 AM.  If you wish to attend the service, please notify Jayne James via text at 785.615.1919. You will be notified once the date and time is finalized.  If you wish to send a donation in Arline’s name, you can reach out to the American Heart Association.  https://pages.heart.org/heartsem_v1

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arline Woosley, please visit our floral store.