Arlis Amelia Fountain

Arlis Amelia (Cowell) Fountain, age 89, of Pickford, Michigan, died on December 6, 2017 at the Ball Hospice House, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born on December 17, 1927 in Pickford to Andrew Edward and Sarah Amelia (Steel) Cowell. Arlis grew up in Pickford and graduated from Pickford Schools. She attended Michigan State University and Lake State University. She met Oren Roy Fountain before he joined the United States Marines. Upon his return they married on June 28, 1947 in Pickford. They lived in Pickford and raised three sons. Arlis cooked for Pickford Public Schools lunch program for over 20 years before she retired to enjoy her hobbies. Arlis was an original member of the Pickford Historical Museum, and one year she was also the Bell of the community days parade for the Pickford Seniors group. She was a member of the Pickford Presbyterian Church and their women’s association. She also served as an elder of the church starting in 1964. Arlis kept busy. She quilted, sewed, cooked, knitted, gardened and especially loved to teach her grandkids. She was an avid reader and liked Amish stories. She loved her flowers and had a special disdain for the deer that were always trying to eat them. She always watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and was a Red Wings, Tigers, and Lions fan. Arlis is survived by her sons, Vern R. (Juanita) Fountain Sr. of Hanover, Michigan and Andrew E. Fountain of Wisconsin; grandchildren, Tammy, Cindy Lou, Andrina, Emilianna, Mary, Kelsee, Zeb, Trina, John, Richard, Vern Jr., Rachel, Ben, and Wayne; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and brother-in-law, Edwin (Betty) Fountain of Fennville, Michigan. Arlis is preceded in death by her husband Oren; son, Dale Oren Fountain; grandson, Andrew Fountain Jr. and his mother, Tonya Czechan; grandson, Austin Fountain; granddaughter, Sarah Garcia; daughter-in-law, Beverly Fountain; and sisters-in-law, Shirley (Albert) Potter, Laurel (Al) Erickson, and Ann (Keates) Rasmussen. Services for Arlis will be held Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Pickford Presbyterian Church, 115 East John Street, Pickford. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 P.M. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Jessica Paulsen officiating. Burial will be in Cottle Cemetery in the spring. The family requests that memorials be directed, in Arlis’ name, to the Pennington Home c/o SHSS 1506 W. 6th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, rather than sending flowers.

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Arlis Amelia Fountain

December 17, 1927 - December 6, 2017