Arlene Briggs-Rex, 84, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 28, 1931, in Wolf Lake, she was the daughter of Benton and Lavinia (Scripter) Fruchey.

Arlene was born and raised in Northeast Indiana, graduating from Wolf Lake High School. Afterward, she took a job as a waitress, working at Don Hall’s Restaurant in Fort Wayne. She would eventually meet Richard Briggs, a US Navy sailor from Coesse, and, after dating for a short while, the two were married in March 1953. They were blessed with three sons: Robert. K.; Richard E.; and Stephen B. The two were married for 44 years before Richard passed unexpectedly in 1997.

Two years later Arlene, who was an avid bowler, would be remarried to Howard Rex. The two enjoyed bowling together and travelling to visit her grandchildren. After seven short years of marriage, Howard passed while vacationing with the Briggs family in Alaska.

Arlene was a member of the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Elks lodge and the American Legion. Above all, Arlene was a devoted mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her sons: Richard “Fuzzy” (Sharon) Briggs, Columbia City; Stephen (Karen) Briggs, Huntington; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her siblings: Jean Brown, Indianapolis; Joe Fruchey, Ariz.; and Joan Geiger, Columbia City. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and her infant son: Robert.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Tom Beers will officiate and burial will follow at Union Township Cemetery, Coesse.

Memorial contributions be given in Arlene’s name and directed toward Wounded Warrior Project with envelopes available at the funeral home.