Arline Dorothy (Merrill) Fowler Obituary (1924

MADISON – Arline Dorothy (Merrill) Fowler, 93, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2018 surrounded by the family she devoted her life caring for. She was born in Saco on November 26, 1924 the daughter of John and Gladys (Smith) Merrill. After attending Thornton Academy, Arline and her family moved to Madison to work on the farm. It was then that she met Erlon Fowler and they married on April 3, 1946 until his passing in May of 2008. They raised their five children in Madison and for many years Arline worked beside her husband on the farm. She went on to work in local shoe shops including Norwalk, Medway and lastly she worked at New Balance until her retirement at the age of 75. Arline served in the US Navy at the end of World War II. Arline spent her life dedicated to her family. She was the rock of the family and the glue that held everything together. Ruling with her own “Law and Order,” Arline set an example for her family by working hard. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate a birthday or even attend her grandson’s races at Speedway 95. Arline was predeceased by her parents; grandson, Ben Fowler; and siblings, Hugh, John, Ben and Winslow. She is survived by her five children and their families, daughter, Shirley Ann St. Peter and her husband, Richard, of Holden; grandson, Matthew Wayne St. Peter and companion Linda Dow and her son Brady; grandson, Aaron Ryan St. Peter and his wife, Melinda, and their two children, Trevon Asa and Trey Aidan; granddaughter, Brittany LeeAnn; son, David James Fowler and his wife, Paula, of Madison; granddaughter Amy Marie Jones and her husband, Ryan and their children Megan Marie and Cody Michael, and grandson, Thomas James Fowler and his wife, Stacey and sons, Cayden and Ethan; daughter, Beverly Jean Salisbury and her husband, Herb, of Solon, granddaughter, Kerry Elizabeth and Peter Surette and their five children, Taylor Karee and her son Kai-Wrynn Ezra, Brendan Galen, Calleigh Jean-Vale, Siobahn Rae and Cameron Tanner; and granddaughter, Rachelle Star Cromwell and her husband, Horace; daughter, Patricia Ellen Violette and her husband, Glenn, of Littleton, granddaughter Angela Marie Burlock and her companion Dan Riedy; great grandchildren, Tia Leigh and Victor; grandaughter, Jennifer Thomas and husband Chris, great grandchildren, Adrian Xavier, Alexis Isabelle and Carson Lee; Tia and Victor’s father, Iyan Burlock; son, Edward Galen Fowler and his companion Barbara Paolucci of Warwick, R.I.; granddaughter, Melissa Jeanne Fowler and her husband Dan their son, Aiden Milo; and granddaughter, Catherine "Katie" Elizabeth Fowler; Melissa and Catherine's mother, Suzanne Fowler; siblings, Carole Karen, Jean Richards, Charlie Merrill and Fred Merrill; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family and friends are invited to visit from 12-2pm, Friday, July 20 at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A graveside service will be held at 2:30pm at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison with Rev. Tobin Curtis officiating. Arline’s family extends their deepest appreciation to the nurses and staff of MaineGeneral Hospice and especially the care and kindness provided by Casie and private caretaker, Doreen. Memorial donations may be made to either Meals on Wheels c/o Somerset Community Center, 30 Leavitt Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 or MaineGeneral Hospice, c/o Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903. When the most influential and strong woman you know passes away you can’t help but feel small.