Arlene J. Bolis

Arlene J. Bolis, 95, of Milan, passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Avonlea Cottage, Milan. Services for Arlene will be 10 am, Wednesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, Milan.

Arlene was the daughter of Guy and Violet Eckhart, born May 17, 1923 in a farmhouse in rural Milan. She was united in marriage to James H. Bolis April 27, 1952.

Arlene graduated from Rock Island High School, Augustana College Rock Island, IL., and from McDowell School of Design in New York. She co-owned Highland School of Music & Dance in Moline and School of Music & Dance in Milan. She worked at Bowlby’s Music House in Rock Island for 10 years teaching guitar, accordion and trumpet. She taught and played all types of music but her favorites were classical and country. She belonged to the Il. Guitar League for 20 years and participated in their yearly guitar contest in Rochelle Il. She continued to play her guitar until she was 92.

Arlene adored her pets and her family. She enjoyed cooking, working outside in her garden, growing plants in the house (she definitely had a green thumb), painting, and drawing. She was very creative and was always excited to work on any craft project. She was active in her children’s lives attending ballgames and concerts along with being part of the PTA and a Girl Scout leader. In her younger years she belonged to the Ilowa Horseman’s Club and Trail Riders spending hours riding her favorite sorrel horse Clifford.

Arlene truly loved her church, First United Methodist Church in Rock Island. She taught Sunday school for 52 years and was the founder of the churches’ DJ One Puppet Ministry in 1993 and mini-grant program for high-school graduates attending college.

Arlene lived a great life with many wonderful experiences. Being feisty and opinionated was part of her charm as was her natural ability to teach children. She had a family that loved her very much and will be deeply missed.

Those left to honor her memory include: her children Susan Bolis Anderson (Bob), James E. Bolis; grandchildren, Julie Bolis Connelly (Phil), Jay Bolis (Kim); 3 greatgrandchildren; and her dog “Miss Muffit” and beloved cat, “Patches”. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The family would like to thank everyone at Heartland Health Care in Moline and Avonlea Cottage in Milan for their quality care and helping to make Arlene’s life fulfilling. The crafts and games were her favorites!

Thank you to Dr. S. Keevan and the nurses at Trinity Health Care for all the loving care over the years. It was greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

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