Arlene "Candy" Kostal Cornelius, 98, passed away on January 24, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.
She was born November 20, 1925, in Ravenna, Nebraska, to Edward and Agnes Kostal. She graduated from Ravenna High School in 1943. During her junior year, she was chosen to represent her class in Girls State.
In 1945, she worked as a secretary at the old Kearney (Nebraska) Army Airfield. Two nights a week, she played piano at the officer's club and then played two nights a week at the non-commissioned officer's club. While playing there, she acquired her nickname "Candy" after the war-time song that was a popular request. She used her nickname so often that most people thought it was her given name!
She attended the University of Nebraska, where she graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. While at the University, she met her future husband, Floyde Cornelius, and they were married on June 15, 1949, in Ravenna.
They moved to Chicago and eventually settled in Northbrook, Illinois. She was very active in music, being a piano teacher for countless music students in Northbrook, and was active in the choir of St. Norbert Catholic Church, eventually becoming the church organist.
She loved playing Midnight Mass every year and accompanying many, many brides down the aisle. She was also active in Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), the North Shore music sorority, and was a past president.
Arlene is survived by two children: Stephen (Elizabeth)Cornelius of Casa Grande, Arizona and a daughter Sheila Cornelius McVane (Randy) of Columbus, Ohio; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother, James.
Memorials in Arlene's name can be directed to the Historical Society of Ravenna, 210 Grand Ave, Ravenna, NE 68869. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will be streamed live.
Funeral Mass will be on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant with Fr Thomas Bush as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Madrid Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 4 pm until 6 pm at Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral is in charge of arrangements.