Arlene J. Bloomer

For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Arlene Jeannette Bower Bloomer no longer sees through a dark glass but is face to face with Jesus since she was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2025. She was born October 29, 1935, in Haskins, Ohio, to Dorothy (Beil) Bower and Gordon Bower.

Arlene attended school in Haskins, Ohio, until her Senior year, when her family moved to Swanton, Ohio, where she graduated in 1953. She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Elementary Music Education. Later, she completed her Master’s Degree in Education at Bowling Green State University.

She taught regular classroom students in the Evergreen School District, the Delta School District, and the Swanton School District. She also provided migrant education services at Delta for several years. Most of her 30 years of teaching were focused on elementary music. Many of her former students recall the rhythm “ta ta titi ta” to this day when thinking of Mrs. Bloomer.

Arlene’s father taught her to play the trombone starting at the age of eight, and she honed her skills over the next 74 years, even taking lessons when she was in her 60s. She enjoyed playing music with her father and brothers, Harold and Bob, who were also highly talented musicians. Later, she composed music for three trombones and one trumpet so she could play music with her daughters. She added her low brass talent to many local bands, including: The Deutsch Meister Band, the Genoa American Legion Band, The Christian Festival Choir and Orchestra, The Vermillion Concert Band, Wood County Concert Band, The Maumee Community Band, The Monroe County Community College Band, and was a founding member of local big band “Night Sessions”. She played in several Toledo Symphony Orchestra Pro-Am Concerts and also sang for several years in the Master Works Chorale. She performed at Carnegie Hall with a friend’s church choir. Many local high schools called on her to help in their pit orchestras during the spring musical season. Arlene most enjoyed playing music that praised and glorified the Lord. Whether she was at home practicing, playing in a concert, or “special music” at church, she used her talents as unto the Lord and played for an audience of One. She recorded many hymns so that the accompaniment tapes could be used at church services at nursing homes for times when she couldn’t be there to play the piano. They are still being used by her friend, Dean Stamm.

Arlene was a member of the Swanton Missionary Church and later, the Delta Assembly of God. She taught Sunday School and directed Vacation Bible School for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing the love of Christ with children and adults alike. She made sure to model a Christ-like life for her family, friends, and strangers, and was a wonderful example of how a Christian should live. She lived out her faith each day. Arlene was not perfect, but she was forgiven by our gracious and merciful Lord, who extends His love and forgiveness to all, and she followed Him daily.

Arlene enjoyed sharing concerts of all kinds with her daughters and grandchildren. She was happy to babysit at a moment’s notice. The playground, the park, the pool, the zoo, and driving around to look at Christmas lights were all places that she enjoyed going to with her family. Her face always lit up when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit. In later years, she was happiest when the little ones came to talk to her or play at her knee or when someone needed to be held.

Arlene is survived by her daughters, Valerie (Keith) Beerbower, Teresa (Michael) Deffely, and Melanie (Larry) Wolf, 16 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother Robert (Janice) Bower, sister-in-law Sheri Bower, sister-in-law Carol (Bloomer) Watson, sister-in-law Marilyn (Bloomer) Herriott, sister-in-law Kathie (Dave) Donaldson, sister-in-law Patricia (Keith) Bloomer Kirkpatrick, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Gordon Bower, brother Harlan, who died in infancy, and her brothers Richard Bower and Harold Bower.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the aides and nursing staff at Otterbein Sunset Villages for brightening her days over the past few years. The care they extended to Arlene is greatly appreciated and will be fondly remembered.

Visitation for Arlene will be Friday, August 1, 2025, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 West Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43623, from 5 pm-8 pm.

The funeral service will be Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Shiloh Christian Union Church at 2100 County Road 5, Delta, Ohio, 43515, at 10:30 am.

Committal will be at Union Hill Cemetery, 13561 Union Hill Road, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402, following the service.