INDIANAPOLIS
Arlene Montgomery Spencer, Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017. She was born October 23, 1927.
Arlene was past state president of the National League of American Pen Women, a former member of the Franklin College Alumni Council, a member of the Beech Grove Retired Educators, Delta Zeta sorority, and the Southport Presbyterian Church.
She taught English at Beech Grove High School, was chairman of the English Department, and sponsor of the high school newspaper. She also taught at Ivy Tech Community College, where her students nominated her, and she was included in Who’s Who in American Teachers. Later, she worked for Editor Harvey Jacobs at the Indianapolis News and at CTB-McGraw-Hill.
A free-lance writer, Arlene had articles and poems published in local newspapers, national magazines, and published two books. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1945, attended Franklin College, the University of Michigan, and received degrees from the University of Indianapolis.
The widow of attorney, Frank E. Spencer, she is survived by three children, James C. Spencer, Dr. Nancy Merbitz, and Julie Spencer. Six grandchildren, Ben, Daniel, John, David, Avi and Amienne. and two great grandchildren, Neal and Joey also survive.
Her daughter, JoEllen Manship-Loo; sister, Miriam Perkins, brother, Robert Montgomery, and parents, Elma and Herbert Montgomery precede her in death.
Visitation will be from 11-1:00 pm, Sunday, Oct. 1 at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, followed by the funeral at 1:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at 4 pm at Reddington Cemetery south of Seymour, IN on US 31.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beech Grove Retired Educators Scholarship Fund, 5330 Hornet Avenue, Beech Grove, IN 46107 or Franciscan Health Foundation – Central Indiana 5255 E. Stop 11 Road Suite 245, Indianapolis, IN46237 or Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, IN 46237.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com.