Marian V. Arthur

Marian Virginia Arthur (aka Boom)                                                          

Marian Virginia Arthur, 96, Westfield passed away peacefully on Monday morning December 4, 2023 at Maple Park Village in Westfield.  She was born July 18, 1927, the third of 4 daughters, to the late Orville Wilber Millikan and Edna Gail (Barker) Millikan.  Marian was a 1945 graduate of Sheridan High School in 1945. 

Following high school graduation, she worked as a secretary until her marriage to Paul Eugene Arthur in 1947.  She remained at home while raising two sons.  She returned to work at Curtis Manufacturing when the boys were in high school.  Marian was a gifted seamstress, and it was not unusual for her to decide late on Saturday night she wanted sew a new dress for Sunday morning.   She made many prom dresses, wedding dresses, curtains, drapes, tablecloths, placemats, and reupholstered furniture.

 When grandchildren started arriving, her focus turned to children’s clothing.  She always wanted a little girl, so when her first granddaughter was born, her sewing machine was cranking out dresses almost daily.  She babysat for her 3-year-old granddaughter one weekend and when her parents came to pick her up, Marian had made her 17 pairs of pajamas. 

Marian was active at Westfield Methodist Church, singing in the choir, taught Sunday school, and participated on many committees.  She loved live music, loved to dance including tap dancing, square dancing, the Charleston and participated in many talent shows.  For several years, Marian sang with the Sweet Adelines, and of course sewed the costumes for the national competitions.   She acted in community theater plays at The Belfry in Noblesville. 

Marian was an amazing cook.  She hosted the family Thanksgiving dinner, preparing all the food for more than 40 people and managed to keep the pans and the kitchen spotless as she cooked.  And naturally, she made new placemats for the holiday meals.

After her sons graduated from high school, Marian moved to Champaign, IL when her husband was transferred.  She hosted foreign exchange students and professors from the University of Illinois.   She worked as a custom drapery seamstress.  She also began competing in Marathons around age 45 and enjoyed jogging until the age of 72, acquiring the nickname “Jogging Grandma” by her grandchildren.

She retired to Venice, FL for several years loving the Florida sun until returning to Westfield in 2006, shortly after great grandchildren began to be born.  It was her first great grandchild that called her Boom, which became her new nickname which the entire family and friends began to call her.  Marian was always active, but what she loved most were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  According to her, her grandchildren were perfect. 

Always full of life, she was witty, loved to pull pranks and play jokes on unsuspecting friends and family.  She knew how to deliver a line and probably could have been a great comedian.  She was still making us laugh until she was no longer able to communicate.  Marian will be missed dearly.

In addition to her parents, Marian was preceded in death by sisters, Harriett Garrett, Orpha Sparks, and her ex-husband, Paul Arthur.

Boom is survived by two sons, Alan Gene (Jennifer) Arthur and P. Douglas Arthur;  six grandchildren, Allison (Rocky) Lehman, Zachary Arthur, Alexis (Josh) Lowry, Zane Arthur, Wade ( Jazmin) Arthur, and Brandon Arthur; 13 great-grandchildren; Sela, Miles, Leo, Liam, Elliott, Ania, Lucy, Melody, Dominic, Eryn, Harrison,  Remington and Brazzus; sister, Annabelle Tschiemer, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 4 – 6 pm in HeartPoint Church, 441 E 206th Street, Sheridan, where the Funeral Service will begin at 6 pm.

Many thanks to Sanders Glen, Maple Park Village and Heart to Heart Hospice for the TLC and keeping Marian comfortable during her last days. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to HeartPointe Church or a charity of your choice.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.