Wilma Slates Arpen

Age: 97; Jacksonville, FL

Wilma Slates Arpen (June 16, 1924 - March 12, 2022) was the fourth child of Jessie and Nellie Lotz Slates of Carrollton, Ohio. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Heiss Arpen (Tracey I. Arpen Jr.), her son William Allen Heiss, her grandchildren Matthew Arpen (Kelly) and Katherine Arpen (George Ash), her great-grandchildren Gracie Belle Arpen, Elias Arpen and William Arpen as well as her extended Arpen family (Pat Arpen, Pam Neumann (Ed Ralph), Sandy Sullivan, Mike Sullivan (Brenda, Jeremiah, and Ella) and Dean Sullivan, her very special friend George Colson and nieces and a nephew in Ohio and Florida. She was predeceased by her husbands William A. Heiss, Lester Smith and Tracey I. Arpen, Sr. as well as sister Clara Pearl Pyles and brothers Lorin Slates and Harold Slates.

Wilma was a farm girl but had the opportunity to go to nursing school through the Cadet Nursing Corps to train for service during World War II. She graduated from that program as a Registered Nurse from Aultman School of Nursing in Canton, OH in 1947. Her nursing jobs were varied, including psychiatric, pediatric, school nurse and most of her career as the office nurse of Dr. S. Joseph Bailey, who was Mandarin, Florida’s only general practice physician for many years in the 1960s and 70s.

Wilma moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Jacksonville, FL in 1961 and settled in Mandarin, where she still lived when she passed. She was truly a nurse at heart, caring for people her entire life – always the first to offer help and never complaining. When complimented about this recently she said, “Well, that’s what you’re supposed to do.” After retirement from nursing, Wilma became a Mary Kay consultant – which may be why she looked so young into her very late years. She loved to travel, participate in her Shrine activities, read, spoil and hug the grandchildren, and crochet special blankets. She lived a long, full, healthy, active, loving and amazing life, for which the family is exceedingly grateful. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A private service will occur at a later date. Donations may be made in memory of Wilma to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point, Tampa, FL 33607 or the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society, PO Box 23601 Jacksonville, FL 32241 (www.mandarinmuseum.net).