Arlene P. Gerner, 87 of New Springfield, Ohio, passed away at 7:11 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown from complications of heart surgery. She was born February 15, 1922 in New Middletown, Ohio, the daughter of John and Ada (Williams) Persing. Mrs. Gerner was a homemaker and a helper at Vivian's Antiques in Columbiana. She attended the Free Methodist Church of New Middletown and recently Grace Church in Columbiana and was active in T.O.P.S. and the Republican Women's Club and enjoyed an active life with her family and friends. Arlene was preceded in death on October 9, 1987 by her husband Donald Gerner, whom she married on October 3, 1942. She is survived by three daughters, Carole (Richard) McCoy of Columbiana, Ohio, Virginia (Larry) Snyder of Columbiana, Ohio, Tammy (Dave) Roder of Twinsburg, Ohio; two sons, Robert (Donita) Gerner of Columbiana, Ohio, Thomas (Ginny) Gerner of East Palestine, Ohio; two sisters, Blossom Colwell of New Springfield, Ohio, Marjorie Morlan of New Middletown, Ohio; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Gerner was preceded in death by two brothers, William who died as a young child and Donald Persing. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima with Rev. Dan Neville officiating. Friends and family may call from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in North Lima and one hour prior to the funeral service from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Poland Riverside Cemetery. The family requests that material tributes be made to the Columbiana Grace Church, 140 South Main Street, Columbiana, Ohio, 44408.